Indications for Early Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinal detachment and reduced visual acuity from retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) continue to be major disabilities afflicting preterm infants.¹ Investigators from 26 clinical sites collaborated to determine whether earlier treatment of infants at high risk for severe ROP resulted in improved visual acuity and retinal structural outcomes as compared with conventional treatment. Infants with birth weights less than 1,251g born from 2000 to 2002 were screened for ROP at 26 participating centers. If an infant developed ROP, parents were asked to consent to data collection and increased examination frequency. The threshold for treatment of ROP was defined as a risk of approximately 50% for retinal detachment. Infants with ROP were …