RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY

What Is Retinopathy of Prematurity ?

Retinopathy of Prematurity is a disease that affect retinal blood vessels of premature babies. sometimes there can be mild with no visual defects, but it is one of the most common cause of childhood blindness in the world. Risk factors include degree of prematurity low birth weight, poor weight gain, sepsis and exposure to fluctuating supplemental oxygen.

Symptoms Of Severe ROP

Abnormal eye movements

Crossed eyes

Severe nearsightedness

White pupil

Leukocoria

Red reflex in all neonates: look for leukocoria (white pupil)

When to Screen ?

All premature babies who before 34 weeks and having birth weight less than 1700gms should be screen for ROP

Screening should be done by a trained ophthalmologist by doing dilated retinal examination of the baby.

If < 28 weeks GA: screen at 31 weeks corrected
If ≥ 28 weeks GA: screen at 4 weeks of age
Retinal vessel growth Classified by zone (location) + severity

A-ROP is a particularly severe form of ROP which can be challenging to identify and progresses rapidly to retinal detachment without urgent treatment

Treatment

Treatment of ROP includes laser therapy or intravitreal injections to prevent severe complication of ROP

Laser Photocoagulation

Intravitreal Injection

However if retina is already detached surgery is necessary but surgery need not give good visual outcome.

Prevention

“ITS PREVENTABLE BUT NOT ALWAYS CURABLE”
A simple screening test done within a few weeks after birth by an ophthalmologist can avoid this preventable blindness.
Early detection and timely intervention to reduce this burden of blindness, makes screening an important aspect of ROP.