Cambridge Ophthalmological Symposium
Eye (2005) 19, 1044–1049. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6701960
The 'ideal' management of retinopathy of prematurity
Presented at the Cambridge Ophthalmological Symposium, 16 September, 2004.
G E Quinn1
1The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Correspondence: GE Quinn, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Tel: +1 215 590 4594. E-mail: quinn@email.chop.edu
Received 10 April 2005; Accepted 2 May 2005.
Abstract
Aim
Retinopathy of prematurity continues to be a serious, but largely preventable cause of blindness and its detection and treatment is of increasing importance as survival rates of premature babies increase. This is particularly important in Medium Human Development Countries where the guidelines for detection used in the US or UK may not be appropriate.
Method
This report addresses identification of infants at risk for retinopathy of prematurity, detection, and treatment of serious disease, and what to do when treatment fails.
Results and conclusions
Retinopathy of prematurity occurs almost exclusively in small premature babies, but the demographic characteristics of these babies vary depending on where they are born. Detection of serious retinopathy requires carefully timed examinations and the treatment criteria will continue to evolve as new therapies are developed. Timely detection and treatment of serious retinopathy of prematurity minimizes the likelihood of blindness, but it is not always successful.
Keywords:
retinopathy of prematurity, blindness, premature infants
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