[Examination of premature infants]

The efficacy of cryotherapy for acute ROP was recently demonstrated [Multicenter trial of cryotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity, Arch. Ophthalmol. 196 (1988) 471-479]. This is a challenge for the ophthalmologist to contribute to the prevention of retinal detachment by adequate examination of premature infants. For this purpose any ophthalmologist involved in the care of premature infants care must be familiar with the timing, frequency, and technique of ophthalmologic examination as well as with the new International Classification of ROP, which is described in detail.