A Clinical Study of Retinopathy of Prematurity

ABSTRACT

Thirty infants(22.4%) of clinically diagnosed as retinopathy of prematurity by indirect ophthalmoscope as screening among 134 premature infants who were admitted in nursery room of Soonchunhyang University Hospital from May 1988 to August 1990, and 5 premature infants previously diagnosed as retinopathy of prematurity, transferred from other hospital were analysed the clinical records and the risk factors of retinopathy. The results were as follows 1. The high incidence of retinopathy of prematurity was associated with lower birth weight(or=200 hours, p1.96). 3. The first examination was performed at 3.4 +/- 2.3 weeks of life. The retinopathy of prematurity was diagnosed at 6.0 +/- 2.7 weeks, and the maximal stage occured at 8.9 +/- 3.1 weeks. 4. Eighteen(51%) of the 35 premature infants with stage 3 plus retinopathy of prematurity were treated with cryotherapy. Thirteen(72%) of the 18 treated infants showed regression of neovascularization.