All issues > Volume 52(1); 2009

Review Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2009;52(1):22-27. Published online January 15, 2009.

Assessment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) revisited

Jeong Hun JH Kim¹, Young Suk YS Yu¹

¹Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Seoul Artificial Eye Center, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Young Suk YS Yu ,Email: ysyu@snu.ac.kr

Abstract

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major cause of blindness that affects premature infants. With advances in neonatology, ROP is likely to emerge as the most serious problem of vision loss in children even in developed countries; such a situation could be called the third epidemic of ROP. However, controversy and uncertainty still surround favorable outcomes of ROP. For successfully controlling ROP, timely and accurate screening is crucial because early treatment leads to favorable outcomes. Standard guidelines, including ROP classification, have provided satisfactory instructions for the screening and treatment of ROP. To improve the structural and functional outcomes of ROP, optimizing the timing of surgical interventions including cryotherapy, laser-photocoagulation, encircling, and vitrectomy is essential; these interventions can prevent the sequelae of ROP. It is essential for the neonatologist and the ophthalmologist to cooperate extensively for the successful treatment of ROP.

Keywords :Retinopathy of prematurity, Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis