Retinopathy of prematurity (rop)

[Agnes]

Retinopathy of prematurity is a disorder of premature infants in which the small blood vessels in the back of the eye (retina) grow abnormally.

Retinopathy of prematurity is strongly associated with premature birth, with most cases occurring in infants who are born before 30 weeks of development in the uterus.
In the most severe cases, the rapid abnormal growth of the small blood vessels can lead to detachment of the retina and loss of vision.
Because affected newborns have no symptoms, diagnosis depends on a careful examination by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist).
This disorder is usually mild and resolves without treatment, but the eyes need to be monitored by an ophthalmologist until blood vessel growth is mature.
If the disorder is severe, newborns require laser treatment, injections of bevacizumab , or surgery to prevent vision loss.

The blood vessels in the retina start growing in a fetus at about 18 to 20 weeks of development in the uterus and continue growing until the fetus is full term. When infants are born very prematurely, the blood vessels supplying the retina may stop growing for a time. When growth resumes, it occurs in a disorganized fashion. During disorganized rapid growth, the small blood vessels may bleed. In the most severe cases, this process may ultimately result in detachment of the retina from the back of the eye and severe loss of vision.
Premature infants are at increased risk of retinopathy of prematurity if they have serious disorders such as infections, bleeding in the brain, or lung disorders (such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia). Premature infants who receive oxygen for a long time (for example, because their lungs are immature) are also at increased risk.