ROP Screening
ROP screening refers to Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) screening, a medical procedure used to detect abnormal blood vessel development in the retina of premature or low birth weight infants.
What is ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity)?
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Definition
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Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a condition where abnormal blood vessel growth occurs in the retina of premature infants, potentially leading to retinal detachment and vision loss. |
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Who Should Be Screened?
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• Premature infants born before 30 weeks of gestation • Infants with a birth weight less than 1,500 grams • Infants with unstable clinical courses like sepsis, respiratory distress |
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Timing of Screening |
• Infants born at 27 weeks of gestation or later should be screened at 4-week postnatal age • Infants born before 27 weeks should be screened at 31 weeks’ postmenstrual age (gestational age plus postnatal age) • Timing may vary based on the infant’s condition and gestational age. |
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Importance of ROP Screening
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• To prevent vision loss and manage the progression of the disease. • Timely treatment can prevent severe outcomes such as retinal detachment and blindness. • To reduce the risk of retinal detachment and blindness. |
Different ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) Stages
- Stage 1: Mildly abnormal blood vessel growth.
- Stage 2: Moderately abnormal blood vessel growth.
- Stage 3: Severely abnormal blood vessel growth with scar tissue.
- Stage 4: Partially detached retina.
- Stage 5: Completely detached retina.
ROP Screening Treatment at ABO
| Treatment Option | Description |
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Laser Therapy |
Laser photocoagulation is used to treat the peripheral avascular retina to prevent the growth of abnormal blood vessels. |
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Cryotherapy |
Freezing parts of the peripheral retina to halt abnormal blood vessel growth. |
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Anti-VEGF Injections
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Medications like bevacizumab are injected into the eye to block vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which drives abnormal blood vessel growth. |
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Surgery |
In severe cases, procedures such as scleral buckling or vitrectomy are performed to reattach a detached retina. |