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Severe retinopathy of prematurity and visual outcomes in British Columbia: a 10-year analysis
V Schiariti1, C Matsuba, J S Houbé
1Department of Pediatrics, Sunny Hill Health Centre, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. vschiariti@cw.bc.ca
Insights
The incidence of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) doubled in British Columbia, but long-term visual impairment rates in infants remained stable. This suggests improved management strategies for ROP despite increased disease prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Understanding incidence trends and visual outcomes is crucial for optimizing care and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence trends of severe ROP (stages 3-4 or laser-treated) in British Columbia from 1992 to 2001.
- To evaluate the long-term visual outcomes for infants diagnosed with severe ROP during this period.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of ophthalmologic records for neonates with birth weight <1250g.
- Comparison of ROP incidence and visual impairment between two 5-year periods (1992-1996 and 1997-2001).
- Logistic regression identified risk factors for visual impairment.
Main Results:
- The incidence of severe ROP or laser-treated ROP increased significantly from 7% in period 1 to 14% in period 2 (P<0.001).
- Infants born in period 2 had lower mean birth weight and gestational age.
- Despite the increased ROP incidence, the rates of binocular visual impairment remained similar between the two periods.
- Refractive errors, including myopia and astigmatism, increased in period 2.
Conclusions:
- A significant increase in severe ROP incidence was observed over the 10-year study period.
- This rise in ROP incidence was not associated with a corresponding increase in long-term visual impairment rates.
- Periventricular leucomalacia was identified as a significant risk factor for long-term visual impairment in affected children.
Objective:
To describe the incidence trend and long-term visual outcomes of infants diagnosed with stages 3 to 4 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) or laser-treated ROP born in British Columbia (Canada).
Study Design:
Data from all (n=1384) neonates with birth weight (BW) <1250 g, admitted to British Columbia Children's Hospital between period 1 (January 1992 to December 1996) and period 2 (January 1997 to December 2001) were analyzed. Ophthalmologic records of infants with stages 3 to 4 ROP or laser-treated ROP were abstracted. chi(2)- and t-test were used to compare neonatal characteristics between periods. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with visual impairment (defined as visual acuity
Result:
Of 1159 surviving infants, 887 were examined for acute ROP (473 in period 1, 414 in period 2). Stages 3 to 4 ROP or laser-treated ROP were present in 35 infants in period 1 (7%) and 59 in period 2 (14%), P
Conclusion:
During the 10-year study period, a significant increase in rates of stages 3 to 4 or laser-treated ROP was not associated with increases in visual impairment rates.
