Epidemiology of ROP update - Africa is the new frontier

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neonatology
• Public Health

Background:

• Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) has caused multiple epidemics of childhood blindness globally.
• Recent epidemics have affected middle-income countries in Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
• Inadequate neonatal care quality and screening coverage lead to ROP in both preterm and larger infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the global incidence and trends of ROP-related blindness.
• To highlight the evolving epidemiology of ROP in different economic settings.
• To project the future impact of ROP in sub-Saharan Africa.

Main Methods:

• Review of global ROP incidence data.
• Analysis of ROP epidemiology across various economic strata.
• Projection of ROP's future burden based on neonatal care expansion.

Main Results:

• An estimated 32,300 new cases of blindness and visual impairment from ROP occurred globally in 2010.
• Sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest incidence in 2010.
• ROP is projected to become a significant cause of childhood blindness in sub-Saharan Africa as neonatal care improves.

Conclusions:

• ROP remains a critical global public health issue, particularly in regions with developing neonatal care.
• Proactive ROP screening and treatment policies are essential to prevent increased childhood blindness in expanding neonatal care settings.
• Targeted interventions are needed to mitigate the rising risk of ROP in sub-Saharan Africa.