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Progressive visual loss in adults with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
1Wills Eye Hospital Retina Service, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA.
Insights
Long-term follow-up of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) patients reveals progressive vision loss in adulthood. Retinal pigment epithelium changes may underlie this deterioration, impacting photoreceptor function.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Diseases
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of childhood blindness.
- Long-term visual outcomes and potential late-onset complications in ROP patients require further investigation.
Observation:
- Two adult patients, previously diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity and visually monocular, experienced progressive visual decline.
- One patient, without prior surgery, showed acuity loss from 20/30 to 20/400 over 14 years.
- A second patient, post-retinal detachment surgery for ROP, experienced further vision loss from 20/60 to counting fingers with significant visual field constriction.
Findings:
- Progressive visual deterioration can occur in adulthood in individuals with a history of retinopathy of prematurity.
- Observed visual loss correlated with potential changes in the retinal pigment epithelium.
- These ROP-related retinal pigment epithelium alterations may compromise photoreceptor function over time.
Implications:
- Suggests a need for long-term ophthalmological monitoring of ROP patients into adulthood.
- Highlights potential late-onset visual morbidity associated with ROP.
- Understanding ROP's long-term effects is crucial for managing adult vision health.
Abstract:
Two visually monocular patients with retinopathy of prematurity, followed up for 14 and 5 years, developed progressive visual loss in their twenties and thirties, respectively. In one patient, who underwent no surgery, visual acuity deteriorated from 20/30 to 20/400 over a 14-year period. The second patient had surgery for retinal detachment. Visual acuity after surgery was 20/60. In the ensuing 2 years it dropped to counting fingers and the visual field constricted to 10 deg. We suggest that changes in the retinal pigment epithelium may compromise the photoreceptors in some ROP patients, thus leading to visual deterioration.