Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of Prematurity is a condition that affects the eyes of babies born very early or with very low birth weight. It involves abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina, the part of the eye that senses light and sends signals to the brain. This abnormal vessel growth can cause vision problems or even blindness if severe. The condition mainly affects the retinal blood vessels and can lead to scarring or retinal detachment. Early detection is important because the disease can progress quickly during the first few weeks after birth. It is a significant cause of childhood blindness worldwide, especially in premature infants.

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a disorder of the developing retinal vasculature in premature infants, characterized by disorganized retinal blood vessel growth and subsequent fibrosis. It occurs due to the interruption of normal retinal vascularization caused by premature birth, often exacerbated by oxygen therapy and other neonatal factors. The pathophysiology involves an initial phase of vessel growth arrest followed by hypoxia-induced pathological neovascularization. Clinically, ROP can range from mild, self-limited disease to severe stages with retinal detachment and permanent vision loss. The condition is classified by zones of retinal involvement and stages of severity, which guide prognosis and management. It is a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness in developed and developing countries.