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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Retinopathy of prematurity
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY, USA.
Insights
Neonatologists can help prevent vision loss in premature infants at risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Early examination and cryotherapy are crucial for managing severe ROP cases.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Perinatal Care
Background:
- Premature infants often have incompletely developed retinal vessels, increasing risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
- Severe ROP is linked to adverse perinatal events, highlighting the neonatologist's role in optimizing infant care.
- Currently, no intervention definitively prevents ROP, but cryotherapy can halt progression in severe cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the critical role of neonatologists in managing infants at risk for ROP.
- To highlight the current limitations in ROP prevention strategies.
- To underscore the importance of timely cryotherapy for severe ROP.
Main Methods:
- Review of current understanding of ROP development and risk factors.
- Evaluation of the efficacy of cryotherapy in managing severe ROP.
- Discussion of the necessity for early screening and intervention.
Main Results:
- Cryotherapy is effective in preventing retinal detachment in approximately 50% of severe ROP cases.
- No specific intervention has proven effective in preventing ROP development.
- Adverse perinatal events correlate with more severe forms of ROP.
Conclusions:
- Neonatologists and ophthalmologists must ensure timely screening (4-6 weeks) for at-risk infants.
- Prompt cryotherapy offers the best current chance for infants to retain useful vision.
- Further research is needed to understand ROP progression and explore preventative measures.
Abstract:
Increasing numbers of immature infants are surviving with incompletely developed retinal vessels at risk for ROP. Since adverse perinatal events seem closely associated with the more severe forms of the disorder, neonatologists may be able to contribute most to the reduction of vision loss if they can optimize the neonatal course of these infants. However, to date, no particular intervention has been proven to be efficacious in preventing ROP. On the other hand, cryotherapy has been found effective in stopping the progress of severe ROP to retinal detachments about half the time. This places a responsibility on the neonatologist and ophthalmologist to assure that each at-risk infant is examined by 4-6 weeks of age to enable the prompt application of cryotherapy if severe ROP develops. This is presently the infant's best chance of retaining useful vision, and appropriate nursery policies should be developed to ensure its availability. Additional research is needed to understand the control of regression vs progression in ROP and to explore potential means of preventing the disease altogether.
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