The 'ideal' management of retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

Aim: Retinopathy of prematurity continues to be a serious, but largely preventable cause of blindness and its detection and treatment is of increasing importance as survival rates of premature babies increase. This is particularly important in Medium Human Development Countries where the guidelines for detection used in the US or UK may not be appropriate.

Method: This report addresses identification of infants at risk for retinopathy of prematurity, detection, and treatment of serious disease, and what to do when treatment fails.

Results and conclusions: Retinopathy of prematurity occurs almost exclusively in small premature babies, but the demographic characteristics of these babies vary depending on where they are born. Detection of serious retinopathy requires carefully timed examinations and the treatment criteria will continue to evolve as new therapies are developed. Timely detection and treatment of serious retinopathy of prematurity minimizes the likelihood of blindness, but it is not always successful.