Retinopathy of Prematurity
Jennifer Lynn
Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Review
Introduction
Retinopathy of Prematurity is one of the
most prevalent causes of preventable blindness
in children in the developed world (Awad, Ells,
Solarte, & Wilson, 2010). It has no signs or
symptoms and must be diagnosed by an ophthalmologist performing a dilated eye exam on a tiny,
preterm newborn. Current treatments can only
prevent the furthering of the disease and repair
damage, sacrificing some level of peripheral vision in order to preserve central vision (Vanderbilt
Children's Hospital, 2009). Research is being
done in order to determine the specific cause of
the disease in order to prevent it, but it is still experimental and has not developed to the point
where it can be used in regular practice (Chen &
Smith, 2007). The disease can spontaneously
regress or advance to the point of blindness
(Shastry, 2010).
Background of Retinopathy of Prematurity
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Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) was first
diagnosed in the 1940's, and was then referred to
as Retrolental Fibroplasia. There was no treatment for ROP until the 1980's and 1990's, when
laser and cryotherapy were developed in order to
prevent blindness caused by ROP. The incidence
of ROP has increased, likely because of the improved survival rates of earlier and lower birth
weight premature infants (Chen & Smith,
2007). Infants that are born at or before 32
weeks gestational age (GA) and have a very low
birth weight are at risk for ROP. Other factors
