[New therapeutic approaches in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity]

Abstract

This review highlights recent advances in clinical research on the therapy for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This disease is still important, because improvements in neonatal intensive care during the last years have increased the survival of the most immature newborns, but have not diminished the ROP frequency. Laser treatment at the optimal time for advanced ROP mostly prevents blindness. This paper describes the classification, current German screening criteria and the modern concept of ROP pathophysiology. The therapeutic treatment strategies and the treatment results, as well the possible promising future therapy with anti-VEGF (bevacizumab) is discussed.