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An Update on Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

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Abstract

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative retinal vascular disease affecting the retina of premature infants. The clinical spectrum of ROP varies from spontaneous regression to bilateral retinal detachment and total blindness. Between these two extremes lies the form of ROP, which is amenable to treatment with laser photocoagulation, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs or surgery. Increasing rates of preterm births coupled with better survival rates but lack of uniform quality of neonatal care and delays in diagnosis have led to increasing ROP blindness. Atypical forms of Aggressive Posterior ROP are seen in heavier birth weight babies in developing countries. Prevention of ROP by following stringent protocols for supplemental oxygen, prevention of sepsis, timely screening and laser treatment by a concerted and collaborative effort of neonatologists and ophthalmologists are required to fight the blindness from ROP.

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Contributions

MRD was involved in the conception, design of the work; critical revision, accuracy and integrity of data as well as final approval of the manuscript. DK and MD were involved in acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data, literature review for the work as well as drafting of the manuscript. MRD will act as guarantor for the paper.

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Correspondence to Mangat Ram Dogra.

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Dogra, M.R., Katoch, D. & Dogra, M. An Update on Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). Indian J Pediatr 84, 930–936 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-017-2404-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-017-2404-3

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