Retinopathy of Prematurity
Retinopathy of prematurity is a social problem worldwide and one of the most common causes of infant blindness. Retinopathy in preterm infants refers to a disease with abnormal development of blood vessels in the retina, which can only be prevented by timely diagnosis and correct treatment. Retinopathy often occurs in both eyes at the same time and its development begins on average in the fourth week of life.
When a premature baby is born, an ophthalmological examination is always carried out so that retinopathy can be diagnosed in time, the stage of the disease can be assessed and, if necessary, emergency treatment can be given to prevent blindness caused by retinal detachment.
The Following Risk Factors Influence the Formation Of Retinopathy:
- Low birth weight of the premature newborn
- Low gestational age of the premature newborn
- Artificial ventilation
- Oxygen therapy
- Vascular and nervous system changes
- Severe infections of the newborn
- others
Retinopathy of Prematurity - Diagnosis
It is important that the first ophthalmological examination of a prematurely born baby is carried out at strictly defined times, depending on the age of the newborn. Follow-up continues depending on the clinical situation, usually weekly or bi-weekly. Diagnosis involves a detailed retinal examination with indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy against medically dilated pupils.
Retinopathy of Prematurity - Treatment
In most cases, stages I-II of retinopathy will improve without any treatment (90% on average), but stage III will require treatment. Otherwise, in stages, IV-V, retinal detachment and loss of vision will occur. Treatment involves laser retinal surgery or alternative anti-VEGF therapy in the form of intraocular injections. With timely diagnosis and adequate treatment, it is almost always possible to preserve vision.
In Georgia, there is a government program to detect and treat retinopathy of prematurity, based on international experience; where all premature infants (with gestational age less than 34 weeks and birth weight less than 2000 grams) are initially screened in the neonatal intensive care units and continued in the New Hospitals clinic after discharge.
