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Outcome of retinopathy of prematurity

Gerd Holmström1, Eva Larsson

  • 1Department of Neuroscience/Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75185, Sweden. gerd.holmstrom@neuro.uu.se

Clinics in Perinatology
|May 31, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Premature infants face vision problems from retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and preterm birth. While ROP treatments improve eye anatomy, functional vision outcomes remain uncertain, lacking follow-up consensus.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neonatology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Premature birth and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) cause significant visual and ophthalmologic issues in infants.
  • Long-term studies on ROP outcomes reveal variable global prevalence due to differences in neonatal and eye care.
  • Evolving treatment strategies for ROP continually alter ophthalmologic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the long-term visual and ophthalmologic sequelae in prematurely born children.
  • To discuss the impact of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and preterm birth on visual development.
  • To highlight the lack of consensus on long-term follow-up protocols for these children.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing long-term follow-up studies on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
  • Analysis of visual impairment and blindness prevalence in relation to neonatal and ophthalmologic care.
  • Evaluation of the correlation between anatomic and functional outcomes in treated severe ROP.

Main Results:

  • Visual impairment and blindness are known consequences of ROP and preterm birth.
  • Anatomic outcomes in treated severe ROP have improved, but do not consistently predict functional visual results.
  • Global prevalence of visual impairment varies significantly based on quality of care.

Conclusions:

  • Despite improved anatomic outcomes with ROP treatment, functional vision remains a concern.
  • There is a lack of established consensus for the long-term ophthalmologic follow-up of prematurely born children.
  • Continued research is needed to define optimal follow-up strategies for visual health in this population.

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