Journal List > Hanyang Med Rev > v.29(4) > 1044034

Cho: Retinopathy of Prematurity: Current Understanding and Treatment

Abstract

Retinopathy of prematury (ROP) is a major cause of blindness that affects premature infants. With advances in neonatology, ROP is likely to emerge as a more significant problem of vision loss in children in developing countries. With the recent advances in basic science research, our understanding of the pathophysiology of ROP has rapidly evolved. Clinical trials along with natural history of the disease have lead to updated screening and treatment guidelines. For successful control of ROP, timely and accurate screening is very important because early treatment leads to favorable outcomes. New treatment modalities are being explored with pharmacologic agents targeting the modulation of angiogenesis. The improved surgical intervention offers the potential for preservation of vision for eyes of ROP-related retinal detachment. The body of information germane to caring for ROP from infancy to adulthood continues to grow up. Improved surveillance and treatment programmes are likely to be most effective in reducing blindness caused by ROP in developing countries.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Retinal finding after laser photocoagulation in threshold ROP with plus disease and extensive extraretinal fibrovascular proliferation (EFP, white asterix). There are moderately intense, gray-white laser burns spacing of less than or equal to one-half burn widths on peripheral avascular retina. (quoted from: Kim JH, Yu YS. Assessment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) revised. Korean J Pediatr 2009:52:22-7).
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Table 1
Timing of first eye examination based on gestational age at birth
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Shown is a schedule for detecting prethreshold ROP with 99% confidence, usually before any required treatment.

*This guideline should be considered tentative rather than evidence-based for infants with a gestational age of 22 to 23 weeks because of the small number of survivors in these gestational age categories.

If necessary

Table 2
Recommended schedule of follow-up examination on the basis of retinal findings classified according to the international classification
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