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Retinopathy of prematurity in the 1990s
1St. Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, MO 64111-3220, USA.
Insights
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) blinds 500 infants annually. Understanding ROP pathophysiology, risk factors, and management is crucial for nurses to prevent visual impairment in premature infants.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Nursing
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- The International Classification of ROP (ICROP) provides a standardized system for describing ROP severity and location.
- Despite advances, ROP continues to cause blindness in a substantial number of infants annually.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the incidence, pathophysiology, risk factors, screening, treatment, and long-term complications of ROP.
- To emphasize the importance of nursing understanding of ROP for effective patient management.
- To provide an overview of ROP in the context of the 1990s.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on ROP in the 1990s.
- Analysis of incidence, pathophysiology, and risk factors.
- Summary of current screening protocols and treatment modalities.
Main Results:
- ROP affects premature infants, with the smallest and most immature being at highest risk.
- The ICROP system classifies ROP by zones and stages.
- Significant numbers of infants remain at risk for blindness due to ROP.
Conclusions:
- Nurses require comprehensive knowledge of ROP etiology and management.
- Early detection and appropriate treatment are critical for preventing ROP-related visual impairment.
- Continued vigilance and research are necessary to reduce ROP-induced blindness.
Abstract:
Infants diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are at risk for developing visual impairments. The International Classification of ROP (ICROP) developed the most useful tool available for communicating the location and extent of the condition, with three zones to describe the location and five stages to describe the extent. Despite current knowledge and treatment, however, 500 infants are blinded each year by ROP. Infants at highest risk are the smallest and most immature. The nurse must understand why and how ROP occurs and the forms of management used to treat ROP. This article reports on the incidence, pathophysiology, risk factors, screening, treatment, and long-term complications of ROP in the 1990s.