Findings in Persistent Retinopathy of Prematurity

To determine whether retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) that persists beyond a postmenstrual age (PMA) of 45 weeks has abnormalities that can be documented by fundus photography or fluorescein angiography (FA).

Fundus photographs and FAs were reviewed for all premature infants who underwent FA for persistent ROP after 45 weeks PMA.

Of the 487 infants who were screened for ROP, 16 (3.3%) demonstrated ROP beyond 45 weeks. Seven (43.8%) infants received prior treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for Type 1 ROP. FAs were obtained in eight cases; four subjects were previously treated with IVB. Leakage at the vascular-avascular border was demonstrated in seven subjects (87.5%). Shunt vessels, posterior retinal nonperfusion, and absence of the foveal avascular zone was limited to the IVB group.

There are persistent vascular abnormalities among infants with ROP beyond 45 weeks. Findings that may be missed by RetCam fundus photographs were highlighted with FA. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:497-503.].