Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

Infants at risk for ROP (preterm infants, low-birth-weight infants, or those who received oxygen therapy) undergo indirect ophthalmoscopy around 4 weeks after birth or at 31 weeks’ postmenstrual age. Examinations are performed by trained ophthalmologists and are repeated every 1–2 weeks depending on the vascular development and severity of the disease. Follow up exams continue either in the neonatal intensive care unit or after discharge until the retinal vessels are fully developed.

ROP is classified from Stage 1 (mild, usually self-resolving) to Stage 5 (total retinal detachment) depending on severity.

The standard treatment for ROP is laser therapy, which targets the undeveloped areas of the retina to prevent further damage. In some cases, medication called anti-VEGF is injected directly into the eye to block the growth of abnormal blood vessels. If the disease progresses to retinal detachment, eye surgery may be needed to preserve vision.