Coincidental ocular findings during retinopathy of prematurity telescreening of 9105 neonates. Issue 1 (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ranjan, Ratnesh; Das, Abhishek; Prema, Subramaniam; Shah, Parag K; Venkatapathy, Narendran
• Is Part Of: European journal of ophthalmology. Volume 32:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 563
• Page End: 574
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Retinopathy of prematurity -- retina -- telemedicine -- ROP -- paediatric ophthalmology -- genetic disease/congenital abnormalities -- anterior segment disease; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; Eye -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 617.7005
• DOI: 10.1177/11206721211001318
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1120-6721

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the magnitude and spectrum of abnormal ocular findings other than retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) detected during an ROP telescreening programme. Methods: Retrospective review of the records of all premature babies screened for ROP from August 2015 to December 2019. Results: A total 9105 babies were screened during the study period with total 17, 075 imaging sessions. Non-ROP ocular abnormalities were seen in 566 eyes of 383 babies (4.2%) including 207 male (54%) and 176 female babies (46%). Posterior segment abnormalities were seen in 88.2% babies (338/383) with haemorrhage being the most common (77%, 295/383). Anterior segment pathologies were seen in 12% babies (46/383) with congenital cataract being the most common pathology requiring surgical intervention. Other findings included globe abnormalities in 0.8% babies (3/383), adnexal disorders in 0.5% babies (2/383) and squint in 0.3% babies (1/383). Rare life-threatening conditions such as retinoblastoma and lipaemia retinalis were also detected. Eighty-seven babies (22.7%) were diagnosed with referral-warranted non-ROP pathologies, with an overall prevalence of 1% (87/9105). Prompt surgical intervention was advised for 7.3% babies (28/383), 3.4% babies (13/383) were treated medically and 4.2% babies (16/383) needed visual rehabilitation for non-amenable pathologies. Conclusion: This is the largest study describing the magnitude and spectrum of neonatal ocular pathologies other than ROP in a cohort of premature babies. Digital imaging has a significant impact on early detection and timely intervention for various vision as well as life-threatening non-ROP pathologies, which would have been missed or delayed otherwise.