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Retrolental fibroplasia; ROP
There are 5 stages of ROP.
The blood vessel changes cannot be seen with the naked eye. An eye exam is needed to reveal such problems.
An infant with ROP may be classified as having “plus disease” if the dilation and twisting of the blood vessels matches or exceeds a standard photograph.
Symptoms of severe ROP include:
High-risk infants and those younger than 30 weeks gestation or born weighing fewer than 3 lbs should have retinal exams.
The first exam usually should be 4 - 9 weeks after birth, depending on the baby' s gestational age. Babies born at 27 weeks or later usually have their exam at 4 weeks of age. Those born earlier usually have exams later.
Follow-up examinations are determined based on the results of the first exam. Babies do not need another examination if the blood vessels in both retinas have completed normal development.
Parents should know what follow-up eye exams are needed before the baby leaves the nursery.
Section on Ophthalmology American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Screening examination of premature infants for retinopathy of prematurity. Pediatrics. 2006 Feb;117(2):572-6.
International Committee for the Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity. The International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity revisited. Arch Ophthalmol. 2005 Jul;123(7):991-9.
Tasman W. Retinopathy of Prematurity: the life of a lifetime disease. Am J Ophthalmol. Jan 2006; 141(1): 167-74.
Chen ML, Guo L, Smith LE, Dammann CE, Dammann O. High or low oxygen saturation and severe retinopathy of prematurity: a meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2010 Jun;125(6):e1483-92.
Ellsbury DL, Ursprung R. Comprehensive Oxygen Management for the Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity: the pediatrix experience. Clin Perinatol. 2010 Mar;37(1):203-15.
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