Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the leading causes of preventable childhood blindness in India. Screening for ROP should be performed in
- All preterm neonates who are born < 34 weeks gestation and/or < 1750 grams birth weight
- In babies 34-366/7 weeks gestation or 1750-2000 grams birth weight if they have risk factors for ROP like hypoxia, long duration of oxygen supplementation, respiratory distress syndrome, twin pregnancy, anemia, blood transfusions, sepsis, intraventricular haemorrhage, hypotension, hypothermia, etc.
- The first retinal examination should be performed no later than 4 weeks of age in infants born ≥ 28 weeks of gestational age.
- Infants born < 28 weeks or < 1200 grams birth weight should be screened early, by 2-3 weeks of age, for early identification of AP-ROP (Aggressive Posterior ROP).
Post PIC credits NEJM