Retinopathy of prematurity: Past,present and future

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disorder of the retina occurring principally in new born preterm infants. It is an avoidable cause of childhood blindness. With the increase in the survival of preterm babies, ROP has become the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness throughout the world. A simple screening test done within a few weeks after birth by an ophthalmologist can avoid this preventable blindness. Although screening guidelines and protocols are strictly followed in the developed nations, it lacks in developing economies like India and China, which have the highest number of preterm deliveries in the world. The burden of this blindness in these countries is set to increase tremendously in the future, if corrective steps are not taken immediately. ROP first emerged in 1940s and 1950s, when it was called retrolental fibroplasia. Several epidemics of this disease were and are still occurring in different regions of the world and since then a lot of research has been done on this disease. However, till date very few comprehensive review articles covering all the aspects of ROP are published. This review highlights the past, present and future strategies in managing this disease. It would help the pediatricians to update their current knowledge on ROP.     

Visual impairment is common in children born before 25 gestational weeks--boys are more vulnerable than girls

Introduction: Children born extremely preterm have high risk of visual impairment due to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and cerebral lesions.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of ROP and visual impairment as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), with respect to gender in two hospital-based groups of children born at the limit of viability.
Patients and methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for all children (n = 114), born before 25 gestational weeks and screened for ROP at Karolinska hospital in Stockholm and Sahlgrenska hospital in Gothenburg between 1990 and 2002. Maximal ROP stages, treatment for ROP and visual acuity (VA), with correction when needed at latest available visit, were recorded.
Results: Altogether 97.4% had ROP, 74.6% developed proliferative disease (stage ≥ 3) and 63.2% were treated with retinal ablation. Normal VA (≥0.8) in at least one eye was found in 50.5% of all and in significantly more girls (61.5%) than boys (34.8%) (p = 0.006), while visual impairment (VA < 0.33) was more common in boys (32.6%) than in girls (9.2%) (p = 0.004).
Conclusion: A large proportion of children, especially boys, born at the level of viability are visually impaired with low vision or blindness. Development of preventive measures is urgent.     

进一步完善早产儿视网膜病的筛查制度

早产儿视网膜病(ROP)是儿童致盲的重要原因,已成为发展中国家日益突出的医疗和社会问题。防治ROP的关键是建立科学的筛查制度。文章主要讲述筛查制度中所涉及的筛查对象、筛查时机、随访方案等,以及如何管理该制度,以期对所有符合标准的早产儿做到一个不漏地筛查和全程随访,从而做到早期诊断和及时治疗,以降低致盲率。     

Retinopathy of prematurity: New developments bring concern and hope

Blindness from retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Australian and New Zealand is an uncommon event although 3% of <31 weeks gestation infants receive treatment for the disease. New world‐wide estimates of the incidence of blindness from ROP are much higher than previously at 20 000 children annually. The impact of severe ROP can be reduced through good evidence‐based care of very preterm infants and careful organisation of eye examinations and follow‐up services. Recent oxygen saturation targeting trial results might mean the adoption of higher targets than formerly in very preterm infants and will require vigilance to ensure all eligible infants are examined appropriately. A true screening examination for acute ROP might involve non‐opthalmologists obtaining photographic retinal images and remote reading of these. Although treatment with laser gives good outcomes, there is interest in intravitreal anti‐vascular endothelial factor agents, but issues concerning the systemic safety and retinal results of such treatment are unresolved.     

Blindness and Partial Sight Due to Retinopathy of Prematurity in the Netherlands: 1975-1987

ABSTRACT. In 1975–1987 at least 84 children developed blindness or impaired vision due to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in the Netherlands. Neonatal data were obtained on 74 (86%). Unexpectedly most children (40 i.e. 54%) had been in level I and II hospitals after birth. Screening for ROP had been either insufficient or not timed according to present recommendations in 33 out of 40 children in level I and II hospitals and 25 out of 34 in level III hospitals. As the number of children with ROP has not changed appreciably over the last 40 years, while birth rates in the Netherlands have steadily decreased, the incidence of blindness/impaired vision due to ROP has probably increased. In the current population at risk of ROP which differs considerably from the one during the first epidemic, the disease may not be completely preventable. We conclude that improvements in screening procedures and timely treatment are crucial in order to improve the present situation.     

AP-ROP in an infant with minimal oxygen exposure

Abstract   Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial disease affecting the developing retinal vasculature and remains an important cause of blindness in very preterm infants. Rush disease, or aggressive posterior ROP (AP-ROP), progresses rapidly to stage 5 disease without exhibiting the classical course that includes stages 1–3. We describe an infant with minimal exposure to oxygen who developed AP-ROP that led to bilateral retinal detachments and a poor visual outcome, despite following current recommended screening guidelines.     

早产儿视网膜病发病机制的研究进展

早产儿视网膜病(retinopathy of prematurity,ROP)是一种与早产儿相关的眼部疾病,特点是在视网膜发育过程中血管异常的发生,重症者可引起视网膜脱离而失明,是儿童视力障碍和失明的主要原因.ROP是一个复杂的疾病,除了目前发现的吸氧、胎龄小、低出生体重、细胞因子等因素以外,促红细胞生成素、感染等因素均是可能影响本病发生的因素,根据其发病机制,早期发现、早期治疗已愈发重要,现就ROP发病机制的研究现状及进展进行综述.     

Retinopathy of prematurity in infants weighing 1000-1499 g at birth

Objectives: To review the incidence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants with birthweights 1000-1249 g and 1250-1499 g, to establish whether the upper weight limit for routine ophthalmological examination might safely be lowered. Methodology Prospective cohort study of infants born between 1 January 1977 and 31 December 1992 cared for in the neonatal nurseries at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne. Data were retrieved on 1373 infants who survived their initial hospitalization. They comprised 657 with birthweights 1000-1249g (group 1) and 716 with birthweights 1250-1499g (group 2). There were 76 outborn infants in group 1 and 97 in group 2; the remaining infants were all born at the Royal Women's Hospital. Ocular examinations commenced at 2 weeks of age, when possible, and at 2-weekly intervals after that. Results In group 1, ROP was detected in 14.6% (96/657) and severe ROP (bilateral stage 3-5) in 5.0% (33/657). Five (0.8%) children required surgical intervention (reaching threshold disease); following surgery, one was legally blind, one had severely impaired vision, and the other three had near-normal vision. Another child was blind; he was born at 28 weeks gestational age with a birthweight of 1170g, and was transferred to a Level II hospital at 9 weeks chronological age with no detectable retinopathy. He returned 1 year later totally blind with detached retinae (grade 5 ROP). The prevalence of bilateral blindness in this group was 0.3% (2/657). In group 2, ROP was detected in 6.4% (46/716) and severe ROP in 0.8% (6/716). No children required surgery; three were found to be myopic at follow up but the corrected visual acuity was normal. No children in group 2 were blind. No significant difference was found between the rates of ROP in inborn and outborn infants. Conclusion In neonatal units with similar rates of ROP and visual outcome, routine ophthalmological examination in the neonatal nursery of infants weighing more than 1249g at birth is probably unnecessary.     

早产儿视网膜病的高危因素分析

目的了解我院早产儿视网膜病（refinopathy of prematurity,ROP）的发病状况,并对其高危因素进行分析。方法对2010年1月至2012年12月在我院新生儿科住院的早产儿（胎龄≤36周,体重≤2．5kg）,于生后2周进行ROP筛查,并定期随访。将患儿全身状况及吸氧、母孕期吸氧、先兆子痫、胎盘早剥等因素进行分析。结果255例患儿全部完成了眼底筛查,在周边视网膜血管化或病变退化后终止随访,发现ROP16例（26只眼）,ROP患病率为6．3％（5．1％）,其中Ⅰ期12例,Ⅱ期3例,Ⅲ期1例。高危因素分析示胎龄、出生体重、吸氧时间,吸氧浓度、机械通气与ROP相关（P〈0．05）;母孕期吸氧、先兆子痫、胎盘早剥等因素与ROP发病无关。结论早产、吸氧浓度高、机械通气是ROP的主要危险因素。对早产儿适时进行ROP筛查,并对发现的ROP早期进行有效视网膜激光光凝术,可控制病变,降低早产儿的致盲率。     

Retinopathy of prematurity: a global perspective of the epidemics, population of babies at risk and implications for control

Globally at least 50,000 children are blind from retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) which is now a significant cause of blindness in many middle income countries in Latin American and Eastern Europe. Retinopathy of prematurity is also being reported from the emerging economies of India and China. The characteristics of babies developing severe disease varies, with babies in middle and low income countries having a much wider range of birth weights and gestational ages than is currently the case in industrialized countries. Rates of disease requiring treatment also tend to be higher in middle and low income countries suggesting that babies are being exposed to risk factors which are, to a large extent, being controlled in industrialised countries. The reasons for this "third epidemic" of ROP are discussed as well as strategies for control, including the need for locally relevant, evidence based criteria which ensure that all babies at risk are examined.     

早产儿视网膜病的手术治疗

早产儿视网膜病(retinopathy of prematurity,ROP)是儿童重要的可预防的致盲性疾病,需早期发现、及时治疗,对于阈值期及阈值前1型病变首选激光光凝治疗,如果进展为视网膜脱离需进行巩膜扣带术或玻璃体手术,文章对ROP手术治疗的现状及进展进行评述。     

Severe retinopathy of prematurity in infants from the southern regions of Sweden

We studied children born in 1986–1989 with severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) defined as stage 3 "plus" or more. Sixteen children from the southern and central areas of Sweden were identified and 15 of these were referred to Orebro Medical Center Hospital for surgical treatment of ROP. The incidence of severe ROP was estimated as 0.8 per 10000 newborns per year. All children were born before 29 weeks' gestation and weighed less than 1310 g; they also needed ventilatory support for a long time. The overall neonatal morbidity was high. A model for eye examination in premature newborns is suggested.     

本院出生和外院转运早产儿视网膜病发病情况的对比研究

目的探讨广东省妇幼保健院出生和外院转运早产儿视网膜病(ROP)的发病及诊治情况。方法回顾性分析2013年1月至2015年12月收入广东省妇幼保健院新生儿重症监护室并诊断为ROP的755例早产儿的临床资料。本院出生组239例,外院转运组516例。收集2组患儿的胎龄、体质量、性别、ROP病变程度及手术治疗等资料。结果外院转运组ROP早产儿出生体质量[(1290.64±392.87)g]低于本院出生组[(1586.21±512.74)g],差异有统计学意义(P<0.001);外院转运组ROP早产儿诊断胎龄[(35.53±2.81)周]高于本院出生组[(34.51±2.17)周],差异有统计学意义(P<0.001);外院转运组严重ROP[如病变Ⅰ区、急进性后部型早产儿视网膜病(AP-ROP)、合并Plus病变]所占比例高于本院出生组,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.001);外院转运组ROP早产儿行激光光凝术、玻璃体注药术、二者联合术、补激光术治疗所占比例均高于本院出生组[60.1%(310/516例)比20.9%(50/239例);10.9%(56/516例)比2.5%(6/239例);8.1%(42/516例)比1.7%(4/239例);4.5%(23/516例)比1.3%(3/239例)],差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.001)。结论外院转运ROP早产儿出生体质量较低,ROP病变较重,手术干预率高。提高基层医院早产儿ROP筛查水平,及时诊断和高效转运可有效防止ROP进一步恶化,提高早产儿生活质量。     

急进型后极部早产儿视网膜病的研究进展

急进型后极部早产儿视网膜病（AP-ROP）是一种特殊类型的早产儿视网膜病,其眼底特征表现为视网膜后极部血管扩张迂曲严重,并累及所有象限,而且病情进展非常迅猛。随着越来越多的AP-ROP 病例被发现,并且治疗效果相对差,使AP-ROP 问题日益受到关注。哪些早产儿更易患病？如何做到早期诊断？是否有更好的治疗技术？国内外对此进行了一定的研究探索。该文对AP-ROP 的危险因素、筛查、临床诊断、治疗的临床研究最新进展做一综述。     

Educational paper

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative retinal vascular disease affecting the premature infant with an incompletely vascularized retina. The spectrum of ophthalmological findings in ROP exists from minimal sequelae, which do not affect vision, to bilateral retinal detachment and total blindness. With the increased survival of very small infants, retinopathy of prematurity has become one of the leading causes of childhood blindness. Over the past two decades, major advances have been made in understanding the pathogenesis of ROP, to a large extent as a result of changes in clinical risk factors (oxygen and non-oxygen related) and characteristics observed in ROP cases. This article provides a literature review on the evolution in clinical characteristics, classification and treatment modalities and indications of ROP. Special attention is hereby paid to the neonatal factors influencing the development of ROP and to the necessity for everyone caring for premature babies to have a well-defined screening and treatment protocol for ROP. Such screening protocol needs to be based on a unit-specific ROP risk profile and, consequently, may vary between different European regions. Conclusion: Retinopathy of prematurity is an important cause of ocular morbidity and blindness in children. With better understanding of the pathogenesis, screening and treatment guidelines have changed over time and are unit specific.     

An Update on Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative retinal vascular disease affecting the retina of premature infants. The clinical spectrum of ROP varies from spontaneous regression to bilateral retinal detachment and total blindness. Between these two extremes lies the form of ROP, which is amenable to treatment with laser photocoagulation, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs or surgery. Increasing rates of preterm births coupled with better survival rates but lack of uniform quality of neonatal care and delays in diagnosis have led to increasing ROP blindness. Atypical forms of Aggressive Posterior ROP are seen in heavier birth weight babies in developing countries. Prevention of ROP by following stringent protocols for supplemental oxygen, prevention of sepsis, timely screening and laser treatment by a concerted and collaborative effort of neonatologists and ophthalmologists are required to fight the blindness from ROP.     

Retinopathy of prematurity: overview of new global problem

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disease characterized by abnormal retinal vasculature in preterm infants. It is an important cause of visual disability in premature infants and although the incidence varies among different countries it is increasing as advances in neonatal care result in improved survival. Oxygen, growth factors like vascular endothelial growth factor, and poor postnatal growth play a significant role in the pathogenesis of ROP. Targeting lower oxygen saturation is associated with a reduction in ROP, but with increased mortality. Screening for ROP varies between centres and countries but generally it includes preterm infants (less than 32 weeks’ gestation) and/or those with a birth weight of less than 1500g. ROP has been recently reclassified as type-1-needing treatment and type-2 ROP needing observation, based on the benefits and treatment efficacy. Laser therapy and anti-VEGF are the two main treatments. Recent reports suggest that anti-VEGF therapy may have better visual outcomes (myopia) and a better safety profile. ROP is a global disease of prematurity and understanding the pathogenesis, course of ROP, preventive strategies, treatment options and outcomes are essential for all healthcare professionals caring for preterm babies. This short article describes the evidence for screening, prevention and treatment options and looks ahead to possible advances in the near future.     

玻璃体腔内注射抗血管内皮生长因子治疗早产儿视网膜病复发的危险因素分析

目的 探讨玻璃体腔内注射抗血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor，VEGF）治疗早产儿视网膜病（retinopathy of prematurity，ROP）的效果及复发的危险因素。 方法 回顾性收集2016年1月—2021年12月在郑州大学第一附属医院出生行抗VEGF治疗的ROP患儿159例的临床资料，根据首次抗VEGF治疗后随访周期内ROP复发与否分为复发组（24例）和非复发组（135例），比较分析2组临床资料，采用多因素logistic回归分析探讨抗VEGF治疗ROP复发的危险因素。 结果 经单次抗VEGF治疗后，所有159例患儿均显示附加病变消退。24例（15.1%）抗VEGF治疗后复发，复发平均时间为治疗后（8.4±2.6）周。多因素logistic回归分析显示，术前眼底出血、总用氧时间较长是ROP复发的危险因素（P<0.05），而妊娠高血压是保护因素（P<0.05）。 结论 玻璃体腔内注射抗VEGF治疗ROP是有效的。术前眼底出血和氧疗时间较长可增加ROP复发的风险，而对于妊娠高血压对ROP复发的影响，还需进一步研究证实。     

The discovery of retrolental fibroplasia and the role of oxygen: a historical review, 1942-1956

Nearly 50 years after it was thought to be conquered, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) continues to cause vision disturbances and blindness among prematurely born infants. During the 1940s and early 1950s, researchers and caregivers first identified and struggled to eliminate this problem, which seemed to come from nowhere and was concentrated among the most advanced premature nurseries in the U.S. Research studies initially identified many potential causes, none of which could be proved conclusively. By the mid 1950s, oxygen was identified as the culprit, and its use was immediately restricted. The rate of blindness among premature infants decreased significantly. ROP was not cured, however. By the 1960s, it had reappeared. The history of ROP serves to remind us that, despite our best intentions, the care and treatment of premature newborns will always carry with it the possibility of iatrogenic disease. This caution is worth remembering as we work to expand the quality and quantity of clinical research.     

Retinopathy of prematurity: Recommendations for screening

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disorder of the developing retinal blood vessels of the preterm infant. New recommendations for screening and treatment of ROP have been published in the past few years. Current evidence suggests that screening infants with gestational ages of 30 6/7 weeks or less (regardless of birth weight) and birth weights of 1250 g or less is a strategy with a very small likelihood that an unscreened baby would have treatable ROP. Individual centres may choose to extend birth weight screening criteria to 1500 g. Initial screening should be performed at 31 weeks' postmenstrual age in infants with gestational ages of 26 6/7 weeks or less at birth, and at four weeks' chronological age in infants with gestational ages of 27 weeks or more at birth by an ophthalmologist skilled in the detection of ROP. Follow-up examinations are conducted according to the ophthalmologist's recommendation. Infants with high-risk prethreshold ROP and threshold ROP are referred for retinal ablative therapy. Developing processes for ROP screening, documenting results and communicating results to parents as well as health professionals involved in the infant's care are important responsibilities for all nurseries providing care for preterm infants.