Retinopathy of Prematurity Follow-up

  • Author: Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 31, 2012
 

Further Outpatient Care

  • Any premature infant should continue to be monitored until active disease has subsided.
  • Since 20% of premature babies develop strabismus and refractive errors, a pediatric ophthalmologist should screen them every 6 months, until age 3 years.
  • Up to 10% of premature babies may develop glaucoma in later years. Eye examinations should be a part of their annual examinations.
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Transfer

  • Transfer the infant to a NICU that can handle the disease and the required surgical intervention if necessary.
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Deterrence/Prevention

  • The Light-ROP study evaluated the role of light in stimulating the development of ROP. Patients were either exposed to normal light conditions in the nursery or shielded from ambient light conditions. There was no difference in the number of patients developing ROP in either group.
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Complications

  • Loss of vision even with aggressive surgical treatment
  • Amblyopia due to high refractive errors
  • Strabismus
  • Glaucoma
  • Retinal detachment
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Prognosis

  • The prognosis is guarded until zone 3 is reached.
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Patient Education

  • Awareness of the risk of potential visual loss from amblyopia, strabismus, retinal detachment, or glaucoma
  • Possible need for repeated surgical procedures
  • Possible patching for amblyopia, thick glasses for myopia, or possible strabismus surgery
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS  Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, McGill University; Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Sherbrooke University; Medical Director, Cornea Laser and Lasik MD

Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American College of International Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Biomedical Engineering Society, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, International College of Surgeons US Section, Ontario Medical Association, Quebec Medical Association, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Johanne Menassa, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Laval Hospital, Quebec City

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

C Corina Gerontis, MD  Consulting Staff, Departments of Pediatrics and Ophthalmology, Schneider Children's Hospital/Long Island Jewish Medical Center

C Corina Gerontis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

V Al Pakalnis, MD, PhD  Professor of Ophthalmology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine; Chief of Ophthalmology, Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center

V Al Pakalnis, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and South Carolina Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD  Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Steve Charles, MD  Director of Charles Retina Institute; Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee College of Medicine; Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons; Clinical Professor Ophthalmology, Chinese University of Hong Kong

Steve Charles, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, Club Jules Gonin, Macula Society, and Retina Society

Disclosure: Alcon Laboratories Consulting fee Consulting; OptiMedica Ownership interest Other; Topcon Medical Lasers Consulting fee Consulting

Lance L Brown, OD, MD  Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Retinopathy of prematurity consultation form and fundus drawing.
 
 
 
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