Current Perspectives in the Management of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abstract

Mangat R Dogra MD Professor of Ophthalmology Advanced Eye Center, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh, India Email: drmangatdogra@gmail.com *Address for correspondence Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a new and fast emerging cause of childhood blindness in India due to increased survival of premature babies, lack of awareness and mandatory screening program. Evidence has shown that higher birth weight and more mature babies are developing severe ROP in our country. Guidelines as proposed by the National Neonatology Forum of India needs to be followed so that treatable ROP is not missed among heavier premature babies. Strategy of timely screening at day 30 after birth need to be emphasized and implemented. Current standards of care in ROP include prevention of ROP with strict monitoring of oxygen saturation levels, timely confluent laser treatment with green or diode laser photocoagulation and early lens sparing vitrectomy in progressive ROP. Anti-VEGF therapy should be reserved for selective cases as rescue therapy along with laser photocoagulation in view of safety issues. Long term follow up is mandatory for development of vision after treatment of ROP.