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. 2021 Aug 18;14(8):1241-1247.
doi: 10.18240/ijo.2021.08.17. eCollection 2021.

Survey of current retinopathy of prematurity practices in China

Thao Phuong Le  1 , Jing Feng  2 , Leona Ding  3 , Rong Hu  4 , Xiao-Bo Lou  4 , J Niklas Ulrich  5 , Michelle T Cabrera  3   6
Affiliations

Survey of current retinopathy of prematurity practices in China

Thao Phuong Le et al. Int J Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Aim: To understand retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening and treatment preferences among Chinese ophthalmologists.

Methods: A Chinese language survey was administered anonymously using WebQ (Catalyst, Seattle, WA, USA) among Chinese ROP screeners from December 2016 to January 2017.

Results: Among 70 ophthalmologists contacted, 65 responded (93%; 78% female, mean age 40y, 57% pediatric ophthalmologists and 25% retina specialists). Most used screening criteria of birth weight ≤2 kg (62%) with variation in cut-off gestational age (≤37wk, 34%; ≤34wk, 22%; ≤32wk, 31%). RetCam (Natus Medical Incorporated, Pleasanton, CA, USA) wide-field fundus photography assisted most screeners (72%) and was exclusively used by many (29%). Among 55 ophthalmologists treating ROP, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was preferred over laser for both zone I (76% vs 24%) and zone II ROP (58% vs 42%). Retina specialists (P=0.004) and ophthalmologists with >3mo of training (P=0.03) were more likely to use anti-VEGF over laser for zone I ROP. Lack of laser training (8/20, 40%), access (6/20, 30%) and anesthesia (4/20, 20%) were common barriers to laser treatment.

Conclusion: Chinese ROP screeners favor anti-VEGF injection and RetCam imaging for ROP management. A better understanding of ROP screening and treatment informs future research and education efforts in China.

Keywords: pediatrics; retina; retinopathy of prematurity; survey; telemedicine.

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