ROP incidence and treatment profile over time
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe

The primary aims of this study were to report the incidence of severe ROP and its treatment in infants <27 and 30 weeks gestational age. Secondary aims were to compare this data with three previously reported cohorts:

• 2003-2005; 200/2550 with severe OP and 119 treated with laser therapy.
• 2003-2005 vs. 2006-2008; significant increase in survival of infants <26 and 30 weeks gestational age, severe ROP significantly higher with decreasing prematurity and in infants weighing <1000b at birth, severe ROP did not significantly increase from 2003-2005 vs. 2006-2008 or for treatment.
• 1986 vs. 2008; increased survival with no increase in severity but increase in treatment rates.

Over time, the rate of severe ROP appears stable. Treatment rate has increased along with increased survival of young premature infants.

Sight threatening retinopathy of prematurity: changing trends in treatment.
Brown KA, Heath Jeffery RC, Bajuk B, et al.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY AND STRABISMUS
2016;53(2):90-5.