A review of treatment for retinopathy of prematurity. (4th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hansen, Eric D.; Hartnett, M. Elizabeth
• Is Part Of: Expert review of ophthalmology. Volume 14:Number 2(2019)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 87
• Publication Date: 2019-03-04
• Subjects: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) -- vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (anti-VEGF) -- stage 4 or 5 ROP -- lens-sparing -- vitrectomy -- scleral buckle -- laser -- angiogenesis -- surgical outcomes -- retinal detachment; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7005
• DOI: 10.1080/17469899.2019.1596026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-9899

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide. Areas covered : Recent methods to identify and manage treatment-warranted vascularly active ROP are recognized and being compared to standard care by laser treatment in prospective large-scale clinical studies. Pharmacologic anti-angiogenic (anti-VEGF) treatment has changed the natural history of vascularly active ROP by reducing stage 3 intravitreal neovascularization and extending physiologic retinal vascularization in many infants. Tractional retinal detachments in stage 4 ROP after treatment with anti-VEGF agents show additional fibrovascular complexity compared to eyes treated with laser only. We review current management and outcomes for vascularly active and fibrovascular retinal detachment in ROP (stages 3, 4, 5 ROP), highlighting the evidence from recent clinical studies. Included are technical details important in surgery for retinal detachment in ROP. Literature searches were employed through PubMed. Expert opinion : Experimental studies in basic mechanisms, methods in pediatric imaging, safer pharmacologic treatments, and surgical techniques continue to advance to improve future ROP outcomes.