SCREENING FOR RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY

Abstract

Retinopathy of prematurity (abbreviated ROP) is a vasoproliferative disease of the immature retina that occurs in premature children, born before the 31st week of gestation and with low birth weight. The first signs of the disease appear in the first month of the premature baby's life. This eye disease is more common in male than female babies. Low gestational age, low birth weight of 1500 g and less and the duration of additional oxygen therapy are the main factors for the occurrence of ROP. Some research shows that the lower is the gestational age of birth, the higher will be the risk of developing ROP. The risk of developing the disease is particularly high in children weighing less than 1000 g (the incidence is up to 60%) and children born before the 27th week. The possibility of developing the disease is greater when there are many comorbidities, such as neonatal infections, intraventricular hemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and hyperglycemia. The genetic factor may have a great influence on the development of the disease, but at the moment this is not yet sufficiently supported by adequate researches. At the world level, about 10% of newborns are born prematurely, that is, before the 37th full gestational week. In our country the number of prematurely born children is increasing every day. Although it is a rare disease, the causes of ROP are related to the modern lifestyle. The consequences are very serious in terms of vision, from the onset of low vision and the development of many eye diseases to complete blindness. The progressive nature of the course of the disease requires timely identification of children at risk and close cooperation between neonatologists and ophthalmologists. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that it is necessary to perform regular ophthalmological examinations in children with an unstable clinical course and the need for cardiorespiratory support. Undoubtedly, the best therapy is always prevention. Due to the extreme importance of preserving vision in premature infants, early detection of retinopathy of prematurity is crucial. We know much more about the disease today than before, but it is still not enough to eradicate it from human pathology. It is necessary to direct the treatment in a timely manner, that is, to prevent the development of the disease. Therefore, by knowing the risk factors, we can take preventive measures. The optic nerve is an extension of the central nervous system, which is in an exceptional relationship in its function with the retina itself. Hence the reduction of risk factors is of great importance for the development of the brain itself. Thanks to the ROP screening, it is possible to contribute a lot to the improvement of the quality of vision in other words, the life of premature children.