Findings in Persistent Retinopathy of Prematurity

Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018 Jul 1;49(7):497-503. doi: 10.3928/23258160-20180628-05.

Abstract

Background and objective: To determine whether retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) that persists beyond a postmenstrual age (PMA) of 45 weeks has abnormalities that can be documented by fundus photography or fluorescein angiography (FA).

Patients and methods: Fundus photographs and FAs were reviewed for all premature infants who underwent FA for persistent ROP after 45 weeks PMA.

Results: Of the 487 infants who were screened for ROP, 16 (3.3%) demonstrated ROP beyond 45 weeks. Seven (43.8%) infants received prior treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for Type 1 ROP. FAs were obtained in eight cases; four subjects were previously treated with IVB. Leakage at the vascular-avascular border was demonstrated in seven subjects (87.5%). Shunt vessels, posterior retinal nonperfusion, and absence of the foveal avascular zone was limited to the IVB group.

Conclusions: There are persistent vascular abnormalities among infants with ROP beyond 45 weeks. Findings that may be missed by RetCam fundus photographs were highlighted with FA. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:497-503.].

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Bevacizumab / therapeutic use
  • Fluorescein Angiography*
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Premature
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Photography*
  • Retinal Vessels / pathology*
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity / diagnosis*
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity / drug therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Bevacizumab