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The German ROP Registry: data from 90 infants treated for retinopathy of prematurity
Johanna M Walz1,2, Sebastian Bemme3, Amelie Pielen4
1Eye Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Insights
The German Registry for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) analyzed severe ROP treatment, finding laser therapy most common but anti-VEGF use increasing. Recurrence rates were higher with anti-VEGF, particularly in high-risk cases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of vision impairment in preterm infants.
- Severe ROP requires timely and effective treatment to prevent blindness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiology and treatment patterns of severe ROP in Germany through a multicenter registry.
- To evaluate treatment outcomes, including recurrence rates and complications.
Main Methods:
- Data from 90 infants treated for ROP between 2011 and 2013 were collected from nine German centers.
- Analysis included incidence, demographics, ROP stage, treatment modalities (laser, anti-VEGF), recurrence, and complications.
Main Results:
- The treatment rate for ROP was 3.2% of the screened population.
- Laser therapy was the predominant treatment, but anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) use increased from 7% in 2011 to 32% in 2014.
- Retreatment was needed in 19% of infants, with higher rates and later recurrence times observed in the anti-VEGF group.
Conclusions:
- Laser therapy remains the primary treatment for severe ROP in Germany, with a notable rise in anti-VEGF utilization.
- Anti-VEGF was primarily reserved for high-risk ROP stages, including zone I disease and aggressive posterior ROP (AP-ROP).
- Higher recurrence rates and delayed recurrence were associated with anti-VEGF treatment compared to laser therapy.
Purpose:
The German retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) Registry collects data on treated ROP in a multicentre approach to analyse epidemiology and treatment patterns of severe ROP.
Methods:
Nine centres entered data from 90 treated ROP infants (born between January 2011 and December 2013) into a central database. Analysis included incidence rate of severe ROP, demographic data, stage of ROP, treatment patterns, recurrence rates, relevant comorbidities and ophthalmological or systemic complications associated with treatment.
Results:
Treatment rate for ROP was 3.2% of the screened population. The most frequent ROP stage at time of treatment was zone II, stage 3 + (137 eyes). Treatment was bilateral in 97% of infants. Treatment patterns changed over time from 7% anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monotherapy in 2011 to 32% in 2014. Overall, laser treatment was the predominant treatment. However, all infants with zone I disease received anti-VEGF treatment. About 19% of infants required retreatment (16% of laser-treated and 21% of anti-VEGF treated infants). Mean time between first and second treatment was 3.8 weeks (± 11 days) for laser-treated and 10.4 weeks (± 60 days) for anti-VEGF-treated infants.
Conclusion:
This study is the first multicentre analysis of severe ROP in Germany. The identified treatment patterns find laser as the most prevalent form of therapy, with an increasing use of anti-VEGF therapy over recent years. Recurrence rates were relatively high overall with slightly higher recurrence rates and later recurrence times in the anti-VEGF group. Anti-VEGF was predominantly used for high-risk stages like AP-ROP and zone I disease.
