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Saudi Arabian retinopathy of prematurity national telemedicine program: Achievements and challenges
Saleh A Al Amro1,2, Sami M Al Ghamdi1, Marwan A Abouammoh3
1Research Department, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Saudi Arabia
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Telemedicine
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) poses a significant risk to premature infants.
- Early detection and management are crucial for preventing vision impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness and practicality of the Saudi Arabian Retinopathy of Prematurity National Telemedicine programme (SAROP).
- To assess the outcomes of ROP telescreening, diagnosis, and management in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
Main Methods:
- Digital retinal images and ROP software requests were uploaded from 20 level-3 NICUs in Saudi Arabia.
- Data were accessed and reported by qualified retinal and pediatric ophthalmologists via a telemedicine platform.
- Wide-angle digital cameras were utilized in the participating NICUs.
Main Results:
- The SAROP program demonstrated practicality and effectiveness in detecting and managing ROP cases.
- Encouraging results were observed in the first 2.5 years, with no unfavorable outcomes in participating NICUs.
- Technical challenges were promptly resolved, ensuring smooth program operation.
Conclusions:
- The SAROP telemedicine program is a practical and effective model for ROP care.
- This state-of-the-art program shows potential for application in similar national and regional healthcare settings.
Abstract:
The Saudi Arabian Retinopathy of Prematurity National Telemedicine programme (SAROP) is a product of the National Committee for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). The program includes ROP telescreening, diagnosis, and management of cases requiring treatment. Digital retinal images and filled ROP software requests were uploaded from 20 level-3 neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital server and the ROP telemedicine website. The data were accessed and reported by qualified retinal and pediatric ophthalmologists. Currently, retinal wide-angle digital cameras are available in 20 of the 31 level-3 NICUs of the Ministry of Health, Kingdom of KSA. This telemedicine approach is practical and effective in detecting and managing ROP cases. In the first 2.5 years, encouraging results were noticed with no unfavorable outcomes in the participating NICUs. Technical challenges were resolved promptly to ensure that the program ran smoothly. Therefore, this ideal state-of-the-art ROP telemedicine program could be also applied to similar and neighboring countries.
