Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 19, 2025
Monitoring Dynamic Growth of Retinal Vessels in Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Mouse Model
Published on: April 2, 2021
Current management of retinopathy of prematurity in sub-Saharan Africa
Trevor Lloyd1, Sherwin Isenberg2, Scott R Lambert1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California.
Purpose:
To survey current oxygen management, screening criteria, and methods for treating retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods:
An online survey was sent to ophthalmologists and neonatologists practicing in sub-Saharan Africa.
Results:
Ophthalmologists and neonatologists from 15 of 49 countries (31%) in sub-Saharan Africa responded. Neonatologists reported treating a median of 15 infants with supplemental oxygen per week but only had a median of 3.5 oxygen-measuring devices and a median of zero oxygen blenders in their units. Ophthalmologists reported screening a median of 5 infants per week for ROP and treating 2 infants each month for ROP. Most ophthalmologists (24/27 [89%]) had access to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs to treat ROP, but only 13 of 27 (48%) had access to a laser.
Conclusions:
Survey results reveal an urgent need for additional oxygen- management equipment in hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa.
