Potential for a paradigm change in the detection of retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment

Teleophthalmology and retina: a review of current tools, pathways and services

Telemedicine, the use of telecommunication and information technology to deliver healthcare remotely, has evolved beyond recognition since its inception in the 1970s. Advances in telecommunication infrastructure, the advent of the Internet, exponential growth in computing power and associated computer-aided diagnosis, and medical imaging developments have created an environment where telemedicine is more accessible and capable than ever before, particularly in the field of ophthalmology. Ever-increasing global demand for ophthalmic services due to population growth and ageing together with insufficient supply of ophthalmologists requires new models of healthcare provision integrating telemedicine to meet present day challenges, with the recent COVID-19 pandemic providing the catalyst for the widespread adoption and acceptance of teleophthalmology. In this review we discuss the history, present and future application of telemedicine within the field of ophthalmology, and specifically retinal disease. We consider the strengths and limitations of teleophthalmology, its role in screening, community and hospital management of retinal disease, patient and clinician attitudes, and barriers to its adoption.

Improved screening of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP): development of a target product profile (TPP) for resource-limited settings

BACKGROUND

As more preterm infants survive, complications of preterm birth, including retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), become more prevalent. ROP rates and blindness from ROP are higher in low-income and middle-income countries, where exposure to risk factors can be higher and where detection and treatment of ROP are under-resourced or non-existent. Access to low-cost imaging devices would improve remote screening capabilities for ROP.

METHODS

Target product profiles (TPPs) are developed early in the medical device development process to define the setting, target user and range of product requirements. A Delphi-like process, consisting of an online survey and consensus meeting, was used to develop a TPP for an ROP imaging device, collecting feedback on a proposed set of 64 product requirements.

RESULTS

Thirty-six stakeholders from 17 countries provided feedback: clinicians (72%), product developers (14%), technicians (6%) and other (8%). Thirty-six per cent reported not currently screening for ROP, with cited barriers including cost (44%), no training (17%) and poor image quality (16%). Among those screening (n=23), 48% use more than one device, with the most common being an indirect ophthalmoscope (87%), followed by RetCam (26%) and smartphone with image capture (26%). Consensus was reached on 53 (83%) product requirements. The 11 remaining were discussed at the consensus meeting, and all but two achieved consensus.

CONCLUSIONS

This TPP process was novel in that it successfully brought together diverse stakeholders to reach consensus on the product requirements for an ROP imaging devices. The resulting TPP provides a framework from which innovators can develop prototypes.

Retinopathy of prematurity in India - what can we learn from the polio legacy?

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disease of the preterm retina that has the potential to cause vision impairment and blindness. Timely screening and treatment are hence critical for infants at risk for ROP. Screening for ROP is challenging in India owing to the limited resources, a vast at-risk population and lack of awareness among paediatricians and the public. Addressing ROP in India requires a comprehensive approach involving multiple sectors, considering the magnitude of the problem and the expected increase in need for ROP services due to the increased survival of preterm infants following improvements in neonatal care. The success of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) offers valuable lessons for improving ROP services in developing nations by applying its strategies. An approach for primary and secondary prevention of ROP is proposed, and the current challenges and a neonatal-led care model for ROP are discussed.

Retinopathy of prematurity detection: a retrospective quality improvement project before-after implementation of retinal digital imaging for screening

Screening of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was modified in a level-3 neonatal intensive care unit by the introduction of a wide-field retinal imaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) diagnosis was improved or not compared to previously used binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy (BIO). This was a retrospective, uncontrolled, quality improvement project. Records of consecutive premature newborns screened for ROP over two 1-year periods were reviewed. Systemic factors potentially influencing the occurrence of ROP were investigated using uni- and multivariable linear regression followed by stepwise forward regression. ROP screening was performed by ophthalmologists using BIO in 2014, and digital wide-field retinal imaging (Panocam™ pro) in 2019. Records of N = 297 patients were analyzed (N = 159 in 2014 and N = 138 in 2019). The proportion of ROP diagnosed at any stage, over the total number of neonates screened, was significantly higher in 2019 (n = 46/138, 33.1%) compared to 2014 (n = 11/159, 6.9%) (p < 0.0001). Most neonates presented with mild forms of ROP during both 1-year periods analyzed. After adjustment for all parameters influencing ROP occurrence, the variables contributing independently to the diagnosis of any stage of ROP were birth weight (p = 0.002), duration of mechanical ventilation (p = 0.028) and wide-field fundus camera-assisted screening (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

After adjusting for many recognized systemic factors influencing the development of ROP, screening by wide-field digital retinal imaging was independently associated with higher ROP detection.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• No consensus has been reached to replace binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy by retinal imaging for ROP screening. • Diagnostic accuracy and high sensitivity and specificity has been reported for wide-field digital imaging.

WHAT IS NEW

• The introduction of wide-field imaging for ROP screening in at level-3 reference center was independently associated to higher ROP detection.

Improving the Quality of Health Care in Special Neonatal Care Units of India: A Before and After Intervention Study

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the efficacy of training health care workers (HCWs) in point-of-care quality improvement (POCQI) and a preterm newborn health care package (PHCP), followed by remote mentoring and supportive supervision in improving health care practices, neonatal survival, and morbidities in special neonatal care units (SNCUs).

METHODS

This pre- and postintervention quality improvement study was conducted at 3 SNCUs in Madhya Pradesh, India from February 2017 to February 2019. Clinical care teams comprising doctors and nurses from the study sites were trained in POCQI and the PHCP. The teams identified, prioritized, and analyzed problems and designed quality improvement initiatives at their respective health facilities. Change ideas were tested by the local teams using sequential plan-do-study-act cycles. Facilitators maintained contact with the teams through quarterly review meetings, fortnightly videoconferencing, on-demand phone calls, and group chat service. State SNCU coordinators made follow-up visits to supplement coaching. Study research staff independently collected data on admissions, health care practices, and outcomes of neonates.

FINDINGS

A total of 156 HCWs were trained in the POCQI methodology and PHCP. Sixteen quality improvement projects were formulated and implemented. Among 13,821 enrolled neonates (birth weight 2275±635 g; gestation: 35.8±2.8 weeks), improvement was seen in reduction of use of oxygen (36.1% vs. 48.0%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.55, 0.66), antibiotics (29.4% vs. 39.0%; aOR=0.76, 95% CI=0.68, 0.85), and dairy milk (33.8% vs. 49.4%; aOR=0.34, 95% CI=0.31 to 0.38). Enteral feeds were started within 24 hours of admission in a larger number of neonates, resulting in fewer days to reach full feeds. There was no effect on survival at discharge from the hospital (aOR=0.93; 95% CI=0.80, 1.09).

CONCLUSION

A collaborative cross-learning quality improvement approach with remote mentoring, coaching, and supportive supervision was successful in improving the quality of care at SNCUs.

Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Global Perspective and Recent Developments

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of potentially preventable blindness in preterm infants worldwide. It is a disease caused by abnormal retinal vascularization that, if not detected and treated in a timely manner, can lead to retinal detachment and severe long term vision impairment. Neonatologists and pediatricians have an important role in the prevention, detection, and management of ROP. Geographic differences in the epidemiology of ROP have been seen globally over the last several decades because of regional differences in neonatal care. Our understanding of the pathophysiology, risk factors, prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of ROP have also evolved over the years. New technological advances are now allowing for the incorporation of telemedicine and artificial intelligence in the management of ROP. In this comprehensive update, we provide a comprehensive review of pathophysiology, classification, diagnosis, global screening, and treatment of ROP. Key historical milestones as well as touching upon the very recent updates to the ROP classification system and technological advances in the field of artificial intelligence and ROP will also be discussed.

Identification of treatment-warranted retinopathy of prematurity by neonatal nurse specialist

OBJECTIVE

To determine the accuracy in the identification of infants with treatment-warranted retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) by a trained and experienced ROP neonatal nurse specialist compared with skilled ophthalmologists.

METHODS

A single-centre, prospective, blinded, agreement study was performed on a cohort of infants undergoing ROP screening. An experienced ROP neonatal nurse specialist obtained retinal images using a wide field digital retinal imaging system (WFDRI) on 127 infants and identified those with treatment-warranted ROP. This interpretation was compared with the interpretation of the same images by skilled ophthalmologists. The accuracy of the ROP nurse specialist's interpretation was assessed for sensitivity and specificity compared with the gold standard interpretation by the ophthalmologists.

RESULTS

The ROP nurse specialist performed 345 ROP screens on both eyes of 127 infants. The mean (SD) gestation age (weeks) and birth weight (g) of the infants screened was 26.8 (2.8) and 929 (327), respectively. The nurse specialist correctly identified all 8 infants with treatment-warranted ROP and 118/119 infants without. The sensitivity and specificity (95% CI) of ROP screening episodes were 100% (63% to 100%) and 99.7% (98.4% to 100.0%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

A trained and experienced ROP neonatal nurse specialist can correctly identify infants with treatment-warranted ROP using WFDRI. Further work is required to examine the generalisability of this finding and its impact on ROP screening services.

Assessment and management of retinopathy of prematurity in the era of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)

The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) continues to rise due to the improved survival of very low birth weight infants in developed countries. This epidemic is also fueled by increased survival of preterm babies with variable use of oxygen and a lack of ROP awareness and screening services in resource-limited regions. Improvements in technology and a basic understanding of the disease pathophysiology have changed the way we screen and manage ROP, educate providers and patients, and improve ROP awareness. Advancements in imaging techniques, expansion of telemedicine services, and the potential for artificial intelligence-assisted ROP screening programs have created opportunities to improve ROP care in areas with a shortage of ophthalmologists trained in ROP. To address the gap in provider knowledge regarding ROP, the Global Education Network for Retinopathy of Prematurity (GEN-ROP) created a web-based tele-education training module that can be used to educate all providers involved in ROP, including non-physician ROP screeners. Over the past 50 years, the treatment of severe ROP has evolved from limited treatment modalities to cryotherapy and laser photocoagulation. More recently, there has been growing evidence to support the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents for the treatment of severe ROP. However, VEGF is known to be important in organogenesis and microvascular maintenance, and given that intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment can result in systemic VEGF suppression over a period of at least 1-12 weeks, there are concerns regarding adverse effects and long-term ocular and systemic developmental consequences of anti-VEGF therapy. Future research in ophthalmology to address the growing burden of ROP should focus on cost-effective fundus imaging devices, implementation of artificial intelligence platforms, updated treatment algorithms with optimal use of anti-VEGF and careful investigation of its long-term effects, and surgical options in advanced ROP. Addressing these unmet needs will aid the global effort against the ROP epidemic and optimize our understanding and treatment of this blinding disease.

Changed ophthalmic workload following introduction of digital retinal photography for retinopathy of prematurity screening

BACKGROUND

ROP screening is vital in care of premature infants but is considered burdensome, difficult and time consuming for ophthalmologists. This study assessed the reduction in workload following the introduction of nurse-led WFDRI to a large neonatal nursery.

METHODS

We report a retrospective audit of 628 infants screened for ROP in the years 2010, 2013 and 2019 at the Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria. The last complete year of screening for ROP using binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy (BIO) alone (2010) was compared with two subsequent years after the introduction of nurse-led WFDRI. The main outcome measures were the time taken to report and document WFDRI and the time taken to undertake BIO examination of a premature infant and document the results.

RESULTS

The ophthalmologist's time taken to conduct BIO, review images and document the results per 100 patient examinations was reduced from 16.7 hours before introduction of WFDRI to 3.7 hours. Similarly, the weekly time spent on this component of ROP screening fell from 2.3 hours per week to 0.8 and 1.0 hours per week after introduction of WFDRI.

CONCLUSIONS

The introduction of nurse-led WFDRI has resulted in a dramatic and sustained reduction in ophthalmologist workload involved in ROP screening in a large Australian neonatal nursery. This may result in improved retention of the ophthalmic workforce required to undertake ROP screening.

Multicentre survey of retinopathy of prematurity in Indonesia

BACKGROUND

The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is higher in Indonesia than in high-income countries. In order to reduce the incidence of the disease, a protocol on preventing, screening and treating ROP was published in Indonesia in 2010. To assist the practical implementation of the protocol, meetings were held in all Indonesia regions, calling attention to the high incidence of ROP and the methods to reduce it. In addition, national health insurance was introduced in 2014, making ROP screening and treatment accessible to more infants.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether the introduction of both the guideline drawing attention to the high incidence of ROP and national health insurance may have influenced the incidence of the disease in Indonesia.

SETTING

Data were collected from 34 hospitals with different levels of care: national referral centres, university-based hospitals, and public and private hospitals.

METHODS

A survey was administered with questions on admission numbers, mortality rates, ROP incidence, and its stages for 2016-2017 in relation to gestational age and birth weight.

RESULTS

We identified 12 115 eligible infants with a gestational age of less than 34 weeks. Mortality was 24% and any stage ROP 6.7%. The mortality in infants aged less than 28 weeks was 67%, the incidence of all-stage ROP 18% and severe ROP 4%. In the group aged 28-32 weeks, the mortality was 24%, all-stage ROP 7% and severe ROP 4%-5%. Both mortality and the incidence of ROP were highest in university-based hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

In the 2016-2017 period, the infant mortality rate before 32 weeks of age was higher in Indonesia than in high-income countries, but the incidence of ROP was comparable. This incidence is likely an underestimation due to the high mortality rate. The ROP incidence in 2016-2017 is lower than in surveys conducted before 2015. This decline is likely due to a higher practitioner awareness about ROP and national health insurance implementation in Indonesia.

Trends in Retinopathy of Prematurity over 12 Years in a Colorado Cohort

PURPOSE

To determine trends in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a Colorado cohort between 2006 and 2017 and compare trends in risk factors between our cohort and statewide data.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted by the use of records from two registry databases: 1) an academic center's ROP registry, and 2) vital statistics birth data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). ROP was categorized as severe (type 1 or type 2), low grade (not type 1 or type 2), or no ROP. Other variables included in the analyses were gestational age and birth weight at delivery, and infant mortality. Trends over time were evaluated for both registry databases using generalized linear models.

RESULTS

In our ROP registry cohort of 1,267 eligible infants, 134 (10.6%) developed severe ROP and 279 (22%) developed low-grade ROP. We found no overall trend in severe ROP rates (p = .23), and a decreasing trend in rates of low-grade ROP (p < .01) over the study period. Trends in gestational age, birth weight, and mortality rates remained stable during the study period in both the ROP registry and the CDPHE cohorts.

CONCLUSION

The rate of severe ROP in our ROP registry cohort did not change over time. There was evidence of a decreasing trend in low grade ROP during the 12-year study period that was not explained by a change in the primary ROP risk factors in either the ROP registry cohort or the Colorado statewide data.

Retinopathy of Prematurity: How to Prevent the Third Epidemics in Developing Countries

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is vasoproliferative disease affecting preterm infants and is a leading cause of avoidable childhood blindness worldwide. The world is currently experiencing the third epidemic of ROP, where majority of the cases are from middle-income countries. Over 40% of the world's premature infants were born in India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Together with other neighboring nations, this region has unique challenges in ROP management. Key aspects of the challenges including heavier and more mature infants developing severe ROP. Current strategies include adoption of national screening guidelines, telemedicine, integrating vision rehabilitation and software innovations in the form of artificial intelligence. This review overviews some of these aspects.

Comparison of wide field imaging by nurses with indirect ophthalmoscopy by ophthalmologists for retinopathy of prematurity: a diagnostic accuracy study

OBJECTIVES

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disease of the preterm retina with the potential to cause irreversible blindness. Timely screening and treatment of ROP are critical. Neonatal nurses trained in wide field digital retinal photography (WFDRP) for screening may provide a safe and effective strategy to reduce the burden of ophthalmologists in performing binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy (BIO). The objective of the study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of WFDRP in the diagnosis of referral warranting ROP (RWROP).

DESIGN

Prospective diagnostic accuracy study.

SETTING

A tertiary neonatal intensive care unit in Perth, Western Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

Preterm infants who fulfilled the Australian ROP screening criteria (gestational age (GA) <31 weeks, birth weight (BW) <1250 g).

INTERVENTION

Sets of 5-6 images per eye (index test) were obtained within 24-48 hours prior to or after the BIO (reference standard), and uploaded onto a secured server. A wide field digital camera (RetCam, Natus, Pleasanton, California, USA) was used for imaging. A paediatric ophthalmologist performed the BIO. The ophthalmologists performing BIO versus reporting the images were masked to each other's findings.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used as a measure of accuracy of WFDRP to diagnose RWROP.

RESULTS

A total of 85 infants (mean BW; 973.43 g, mean GA; 29 weeks) underwent a median of two sessions of WFDRP. There were 188 episodes of screening with an average of five images per eye. WFDRP identified RWROP in 7.4% (14/188 sessions) of examinations. In one infant, BIO showed bilateral plus disease and WFDRP did not pick up the plus disease. WFDRP image interpretation had a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 94.5% for the detection of RWROP. The 'area under the ROC curve' was 88% when adjusted for covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

WFDRP by neonatal nurses was feasible and effective for diagnosing RWROP in our set up.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12616001386426.

Practice Guidelines for Ocular Telehealth-Diabetic Retinopathy, Third Edition

Contributors The following document and appendices represent the third edition of the Practice Guidelines for Ocular Telehealth-Diabetic Retinopathy. These guidelines were developed by the Diabetic Retinopathy Telehealth Practice Guidelines Working Group. This working group consisted of a large number of subject matter experts in clinical applications for telehealth in ophthalmology. The editorial committee consisted of Mark B. Horton, OD, MD, who served as working group chair and Christopher J. Brady, MD, MHS, and Jerry Cavallerano, OD, PhD, who served as cochairs. The writing committees were separated into seven different categories. They are as follows: 1.Clinical/operational: Jerry Cavallerano, OD, PhD (Chair), Gail Barker, PhD, MBA, Christopher J. Brady, MD, MHS, Yao Liu, MD, MS, Siddarth Rathi, MD, MBA, Veeral Sheth, MD, MBA, Paolo Silva, MD, and Ingrid Zimmer-Galler, MD. 2.Equipment: Veeral Sheth, MD (Chair), Mark B. Horton, OD, MD, Siddarth Rathi, MD, MBA, Paolo Silva, MD, and Kristen Stebbins, MSPH. 3.Quality assurance: Mark B. Horton, OD, MD (Chair), Seema Garg, MD, PhD, Yao Liu, MD, MS, and Ingrid Zimmer-Galler, MD. 4.Glaucoma: Yao Liu, MD, MS (Chair) and Siddarth Rathi, MD, MBA. 5.Retinopathy of prematurity: Christopher J. Brady, MD, MHS (Chair) and Ingrid Zimmer-Galler, MD. 6.Age-related macular degeneration: Christopher J. Brady, MD, MHS (Chair) and Ingrid Zimmer-Galler, MD. 7.Autonomous and computer assisted detection, classification and diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy: Michael Abramoff, MD, PhD (Chair), Michael F. Chiang, MD, and Paolo Silva, MD.

Retinopathy of prematurity treatment: Asian perspectives

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disease of developing retinal vessels that affects premature infants and can lead to severe and irreversible visual loss if left untreated. India and some other Asian countries are in the middle of a 'third ROP epidemic'. Blindness due to ROP is largely preventable if appropriate, adequate and accessible screening programmes are available. Screening of the premature babies is the first step in ROP management. With the increase in use of tele-screening techniques, more premature babies have been brought under the screening network both from urban and rural regions. Laser photocoagulation to the avascular retina using indirect ophthalmoscopy delivery system is the gold standard for ROP treatment and is usually done under topical anaesthesia in the Asian region in contrast to the western world. Use of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) although controversial in management of ROP has been found to be effective in various Asian studies as well. ROP surgery in India and other middle-income Asian countries is largely performed only in few tertiary eye care centres. Poor visual prognosis, late presentation with advanced retinal detachments, lack of adequate number of trained paediatric retinal surgeons and paediatric anaesthetists also contribute to this problem. This current paper summarizes the Asian experience of ROP management.

Telemedicine for Retinopathy of Prematurity

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disease of the retinal vasculature that remains a leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide despite improvements in the systemic care of premature newborns. Screening for ROP is effective and cost-effective, but in many areas, access to skilled examiners to conduct dilated examinations is poor. Remote screening with retinal photography is an alternative strategy that may allow for improved ROP care. Methods: The current literature was reviewed to find clinical trials and expert consensus documents on the state-of-the-art of telemedicine for ROP. Results: Several studies have confirmed the utility of telemedicine for ROP. In addition, several clinical studies have reported favorable long-term results. Many investigators have reinforced the need for detailed protocols on image acquisition and image interpretation. Conclusions: Telemedicine for ROP appears to be a viable alternative to live ophthalmoscopic examinations in many circumstances. Standardization and documentation afforded by telemedicine may provide additional benefits to providers and their patients. With continued improvements in image quality and affordability of imaging systems as well as improved automated image interpretation tools anticipated in the near future, telemedicine for ROP is expected to play an expanding role for a uniquely vulnerable patient population.

Low dose fentanyl infusion versus 24% oral sucrose for pain management during laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity-an open label randomized clinical trial

To compare the efficacy of low dose fentanyl infusion and 24% oral sucrose in providing optimal pain relief during laser for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), we enrolled fifty-eight spontaneously breathing preterm infants undergoing laser. The preterm infants were randomized to either fentanyl infusion (1 mcg/kg/hr) or 24% oral sucrose (2 ml). We evaluated and compared the proportion of time spent crying during the procedure, salivary cortisol before and after the procedure, premature infant pain profile- revised (PIPP-R) scores during the procedure, apnoea during and after the procedure, need for mechanical ventilation, and feed intolerance and urinary retention 24 h after the procedure between the two groups. We found that the proportion of time spent crying during the procedure was significantly less in the fentanyl group [62.5% (50.7-74.2) vs 73.8% (55.6-83.4); P = 0.02]. Average PIPP-R score during the procedure was significantly less in the fentanyl group [7.2 vs 9.0; (mean difference of - 1.8; P = 0.01)]. There was no difference in other outcomes between the two groups.Conclusion: During laser for ROP, low dose fentanyl infusion was found to be efficacious in reducing pain as compared with 24% sucrose.What is Known:• Preterm infants undergoing laser photocoagulation for ROP suffer significant amount of pain.• Standard of care for pain relief in infants undergoing laser therapy in developed countries is general anesthesia (GA) or combination of sedation, analgesia, and paralysis (SAP).What is New:• During laser photocoagulation for ROP, fentanyl infusion at low dose (1 mcg/kg/hr) is efficacious in reducing pain as compared to 24% oral sucrose.

Factors in Premature Infants Associated With Low Risk of Developing Retinopathy of Prematurity

Importance

Most premature infants will not develop retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) of clinical relevance, yet screening evaluations often continue beyond hospital discharge, even for those infants without ROP.

Objectives

To identify the characteristics of infants at low risk for ROP, for whom further postdischarge screening may be of limited value.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This study took place in North American neonatal intensive care units where clinicians had expertise in ROP. Infants with birth weight less than 1251 g who were born at or transferred into an Telemedicine Approaches to Evaluating Acute-Phase ROP (e-ROP) study center were enrolled. The study included post hoc analysis of prospectively collected in-hospital ROP examination results among infants enrolled in the e-ROP study. We characterized infants without ROP and performed logistic regression on the subset of infants who were 27 to 33 weeks' gestational age to determine characteristics associated with the absence of ROP during all in-hospital examinations.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main measure was the absence of ROP prior to hospital discharge; the main outcome was treatment for ROP.

Results

A total of 1257 infants born at 22 to 35 weeks' gestation (median [interquartile range (IQR)], 26 [25-28] weeks) with birth weights less than 1251 g (median [IQR], 860 [690-1040] g) underwent 4113 ROP examinations between 31 and 47 weeks' postmenstrual age. Overall, 1153 examinations (38%) showed no ROP, and 456 infants (36%) did not have ROP prior to study center discharge or study end point. Among infants without ROP during examinations at 32 and 33 weeks' postmenstrual age, 16 (9.4%) and 14 (5.3%) subsequently underwent ROP treatment, respectively. At hospital discharge, there was no ROP in 59% of infants of 27 to 33 weeks' gestational age, compared with 15% of those who were less than 27 weeks' gestational age (difference, 44% [95% CI, 38.5%-48.1%]; P ≤ .001). With more than 85% follow-up among infants without ROP by 37 weeks' postmenstrual age, none (95% CI, 0%-0.98%) were treated for ROP. In multivariate analysis of infants born at 27 to 33 weeks' gestation, larger birth weight (OR, 4.1 [95% CI, 1.6-10.3]) and higher gestational age (OR, 4.0 [95% CI, 1.5-10.8]) were significantly associated with absence of ROP.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that, for infants of 27 weeks' gestational age or greater and birth weights larger than 750 g, if no ROP has been detected by discharge at near-term postmenstrual age, then further ROP surveillance has limited value. Studies of all infants at risk are needed to develop more specific, objective criteria for termination of ROP surveillance and focus resources on infants at higher risk of ROP.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01264276.

Incidence and Early Course of Retinopathy of Prematurity: Secondary Analysis of the Postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity (G-ROP) Study

Importance

The current guidelines for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) detection programs in the United States include a range of birth weights (BWs) and gestational ages and likely require examinations of many premature infants who are at low risk for developing serious retinopathy.

Objective

To determine the incidence, onset, and early course of ROP in what to our knowledge is the largest cohort to date that is representative of infants who are undergoing ROP screening.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This secondary analysis of data from the Postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity (G-ROP) retrospective cohort study was conducted in 29 hospitals in the United States and Canada between January 2006 and December 2011 and included 7483 infants who underwent serial ROP examinations.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Most severe ROP in either eye, classified as no ROP, mild ROP, type 2 ROP, or type 1 ROP (per Early Treatment for ROP Study criteria). Onset at postmenstrual age for zone I disease and stage of ROP, plus disease, and treatment.

Results

This study included 7483 infants with a mean (SD) BW of 1099 (259) g and a mean (SD) gestational age of 28 (3) weeks who underwent ROP examinations. Of these, 3224 infants (43.1%) developed ROP, 459 (6.1%) developed type 1 and 472 (6.3%) type 2 ROP, 514 (6.9%) underwent treatment in 1 or both eyes, and 147 (2%) had zone I disease. Additionally, 98.1% of type 1 or 2 ROP cases occurred in infants with a BW of less than 1251 g. Only about half of the eyes (49.4%) were vascularized into zone III by 37 weeks postmenstrual age.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings add to our knowledge of ROP screening as they include all eligible infants, not just high-risk infants as in previous studies. More than 40% of at-risk premature infants develop some stage of ROP, and most retinopathy regresses without treatment. However, approximately 12.5% develop severe ROP, which occurs almost exclusively among infants with a BW of less than 1251 g.

Retinopathy of prematurity prevention, screening and treatment programmes: Progress in India

India is home to largest number of preterm births and neonates at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity. Being a large heterogenous country, different approaches including training of local ophthalmologists, tele-screening by ophthalmic technicians carrying wide-angle retinal cameras and use of low-cost retinal cameras by neonatal unit healthcare providers are being tested to expand the coverage of screening.

The role of retinal photography and telemedicine in ROP screening

Until advances in retinal imaging over recent decades, detection of retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment depended largely on indirect ophthalmoscopy by ophthalmologists with experience in examination of low birth weight, often fragile infants. Recent studies have added to our understanding of the pros and cons of using this technology to provide timely care for the increasing number of infants at risk for ROP blindness worldwide.

Neuroprotective Care of Extremely Preterm Infants in the First 72 Hours After Birth

Birth at extremely low gestational ages presents a significant threat to infants' survival, health, development, and future well-being. After birth, a critical period of brain development must continue outside the womb. Neuro-supportive and neuroprotective family centered developmental care for and standardized care practices for extremely preterm infants have been shown to improve outcomes. Neuroprotective interventions must include a focus on the emotional connections of infants and their families. Being in skin-to-skin contact with the mother is the developmentally expected environment for all mammals and is especially important for supporting physiologic stability and neurodevelopment of preterm infants.

Pathophysiology, screening and treatment of ROP: A multi-disciplinary perspective

The population of infants at risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) varies by world region; in countries with well developed neonatal intensive care services, the highest risk infants are those born at less than 28 weeks gestational age (GA) and less than 1 kg at birth, while, in regions where many aspects of neonatal intensive and ophthalmological care are not routinely available, more mature infants up to 2000 g at birth and 37 weeks GA are also at risk for severe ROP. Treatment options for both groups of patients include standard retinal laser photocoagulation or, more recently, intravitreal anti-VEGF drugs. In addition to detection and treatment of ROP, this review highlights new opportunities created by telemedicine, where screening and diagnosis of ROP in remote locations can be undertaken by non-ophthalmologists using digital fundus cameras. The ophthalmological care of the ROP infant is undertaken in the wider context of neonatal care and general wellbeing of the infant. Because of this context, this review takes a multi-disciplinary perspective with contributions from retinal vascular biologists, pediatric ophthalmologists, an epidemiologist and a neonatologist. This review highlights the latest insights regarding cellular and molecular mechanisms in the formation of the retinal vasculature in the human infant, pathogenesis of ROP, detection and treatment of severe ROP, the risks and benefits of anti-VEGF therapy, the identification of new therapies over the horizon, and the optimal neonatal care regimen for best ROP outcomes, and the benefits and pitfalls of telemedicine in the remote screening and diagnosis of ROP, all of which have the potential to improve ROP outcomes.

The relationship of the subtypes of preterm birth with retinopathy of prematurity

BACKGROUND

Retinopathy of prematurity is an adverse outcome of preterm birth and is a leading cause of childhood blindness. The relationship between the subtypes of preterm birth with retinopathy of prematurity is understudied.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether there is a difference in the incidence of type 1 or type 2 retinopathy of prematurity in infants with preterm birth resulting from spontaneous preterm labor, a medical indication of preterm birth, or preterm premature rupture of the membranes.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 827 infants screened for retinopathy of prematurity who were delivered at a single tertiary care center in Colorado. All infants fulfilled the American Academy of Pediatrics 2013 screening criteria for retinopathy of prematurity defined as "infants with a birth weight of ≤1500 g or gestational age of 30 weeks or less (as defined by the attending neonatologist) and selected infants with a birth weight between 1500 and 2000 g or gestational age of >30 weeks with an unstable clinical course, including those requiring cardiorespiratory support and who are believed by their attending pediatrician or neonatologist to be at high risk for retinopathy of prematurity." Two independent reviewers masked to retinopathy of prematurity outcomes determined whether preterm birth resulted from spontaneous preterm labor, medical indication of preterm birth, or preterm premature rupture of the membranes. Discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer. Data were analyzed with univariate and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

In our cohort, the frequency of preterm birth resulting from spontaneous preterm labor, medical indication of preterm birth, or preterm premature rupture of the membranes was 34%, 40%, and 26%, respectively. The mean gestational age (weeks, days) ± SD (range) in the cohort and across the preterm birth subtypes was as follows: entire cohort, 28 weeks, 6 days ± 2 weeks, 3 days (23 weeks, 3 days - 36 weeks, 4 days); spontaneous preterm labor, 28 weeks 1 day ± 2 weeks, 3 days (23 weeks, 3 days - 33 weeks, 4 days); medical indication of preterm birth, 29 weeks, 1 day ± 2 weeks, 2 days (24-36 weeks, 4 days); preterm premature rupture of the membranes, 28 weeks, 4 days ± 2 weeks, 1 day (24-33 weeks, 1 day). Among infants with type 1, type 2, or no retinopathy of prematurity, the incidence of type 1 or type 2 retinopathy of prematurity in births from spontaneous preterm labor, medical indication of preterm birth, and preterm premature rupture of the membranes was 37 of 218 (17%), 27 of 272 (10%), and 10 of 164 (6%), respectively. Adjusted for gestational age, birth weight, and multiparity and compared with the preterm premature rupture of the membranes group, the odds ratios of spontaneous preterm labor and medical indication of preterm birth for type 1 or type 2 retinopathy of prematurity were 6.1 (95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 20, P = .003) and 5.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 21, P = .01), respectively. Among neonates born after preterm premature rupture of the membranes, the probability of developing type 1 or type 2 retinopathy of prematurity was greatest in infants with rupture of membrane duration of up to 24 hours. After 24 hours, the probability of developing type 1 or type 2 retinopathy of prematurity declined. The odds of developing type 1 or type 2 retinopathy of prematurity was 9.0 (95% confidence interval 2.3 to 34, P = .002) in infants who had preterm premature rupture of the membranes ≤ 24 hours compared with infants who had preterm premature rupture of the membranes > 24 hours.

CONCLUSION

Type 1 or type 2 retinopathy of prematurity are adverse ocular outcomes linked with not only lower gestational age and birth weight at delivery but also with events in the intrauterine environment that trigger a preterm birth. The reduced incidence of type 1 or type 2 retinopathy of prematurity in the preterm premature rupture of the membranes group compared with other causes of preterm birth may be related to the perinatal therapies associated with preterm premature rupture of the membranes (such as corticosteroids, antibiotics, maternal-fetal surveillance), which may have an inhibitory effect on the development of retinopathy of prematurity. We suggest that the physiologic events that predispose infants to type 1 or type 2 retinopathy of prematurity begin before delivery.

Predictive algorithms for early detection of retinopathy of prematurity

PURPOSE

To evaluate sensitivity, specificity and the safest cut-offs of three predictive algorithms (WINROP, ROPScore and CHOP ROP) for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in three centres from 2012 to 2014; 445 preterms with gestational age (GA) ≤ 30 weeks and/or birthweight (BW) ≤ 1500 g, and additional unstable cases, were included. No-ROP, mild and type 1 ROP were categorized. The algorithms were analysed for infants with all parameters (GA, BW, weight gain, oxygen therapy, blood transfusion) needed for calculation (399 babies).

RESULTS

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was identified in both eyes in 116 patients (26.1%), and 44 (9.9%) had type 1 ROP. Gestational age and BW were significantly lower in ROP group compared with no-ROP subjects (GA: 26.7 ± 2.2 and 30.2 ± 1.9, respectively, p < 0.0001; BW: 839.8 ± 287.0 and 1288.1 ± 321.5 g, respectively, p = 0.0016). Customized alarms of ROPScore and CHOP ROP correctly identified all infants having any ROP or type 1 ROP. WINROP missed 19 cases of ROP, including three type 1 ROP. ROPScore and CHOP ROP provided the best performances with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the detection of severe ROP of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.90-0.96, and 95% CI, 0.89-0.96, respectively), and WINROP obtained 0.83 (95% CI, 0.77-0.87). Median time from alarm to treatment was 11.1, 5.1 and 9.1 weeks, for WINROP, ROPScore and CHOP ROP, respectively.

CONCLUSION

ROPScore and CHOP ROP showed 100% sensitivity to identify sight-threatening ROP. Predictive algorithms are a reliable tool for early identification of infants requiring referral to an ophthalmologist, for reorganizing resources and reducing stressful procedures to preterm babies.

Trends in the Screening and Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity

OBJECTIVES

To determine the current practice patterns of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening and treatment and the attitudes toward new screening and treatment modalities in level III and level IV NICUs, as reported by medical directors.

METHODS

Surveys were mailed to the medical directors of 847 level III NICUs identified in the 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics directory in April 2015. In September 2015, responses were compared with American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines and previous reports. Within-sample comparisons were made by level, setting, size, and academic status.

RESULTS

Respondents indicated that ROP screening is most often performed in their NICUs by pediatric and/or retina specialists (90%); retinal imaging devices are infrequently used (21%). Treatment is performed by pediatric (39%) and/or retina (57%) specialists in the NICU, usually under conscious sedation (60%). The most common treatment modality was laser photocoagulation (85%), followed by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection (20%). Some NICUs do not provide treatment services (28%), often due to a lack of ophthalmologists (78%). Respondents showed slightly more agreement (35%) than disagreement (25%) that a retinal imaging device could replace indirect ophthalmoscopy (40% were neutral). More respondents agreed than disagreed (30% vs 15%) that telemedicine for ROP screening is safe, but most were neutral (55%).

CONCLUSIONS

Screening and treatment of ROP are not implemented uniformly in NICUs across the United States. Concerns regarding an insufficient ROP workforce are validated.

Retinopathy of prematurity like retinopathy in full-term infants

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to assess clinical characteristics, risk factors, and management outcomes of retinal changes similar to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), seen in full-term infants.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective review of 46 eyes of 23 patients, born at full term or near full term and diagnosed to have active ROP-like retinopathy or sequelae of ROP-like retinopathy.

RESULTS

Mean birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA) were 2342 ± 923 g (range, 1200-4160 g) and 38.5 ± 1.85 weeks (range, 37-40 weeks). Mean age at the time of diagnosis was 3.5 ± 8.75 years (range, 1 month-16 years). Stage 1 and 2 of retinopathy was seen in 10 eyes (21.7%), threshold disease with plus disease in 12 eyes (26%) and Stage 4 or 5 in 14 eyes (30.4%). Involutional sequelae were noted in 10 eyes (21.7%). Twenty-one eyes (45.6%) underwent appropriate treatment in the form of laser, cryotherapy, or retinal detachment surgery. Eight eyes (17.4%) with advanced sequelae such as total closed funnel retinal detachment and macular fold were not treated. Mean follow-up was 3 years (range, 1 month to 12 years). At the last follow-up, 29 eyes (63%) had a favorable structural outcome (P < 0.001). Among the patients in whom visual acuity could be assessed (16 eyes), favorable visual outcome was noted in 9 eyes (56.2%). Low BW (P = 0.038), multiple births (P = 0.013), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (P = 0.001), phototherapy (P = 0.001), and oxygen administration (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with the development of ROP-like retinopathy in these full-term infants.

CONCLUSIONS

ROP-like retinopathy can occur in full-term and near full-term infants and can potentially lead to permanent visual impairment. Screening of infants with risk factors such as oxygen administration, RDS, multiple births, and low BW, regardless of GA, may reduce visual impairment.

Retinopathy of prematurity: Past, present and future

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disorder of the retina occurring principally in new born preterm infants. It is an avoidable cause of childhood blindness. With the increase in the survival of preterm babies, ROP has become the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness throughout the world. A simple screening test done within a few weeks after birth by an ophthalmologist can avoid this preventable blindness. Although screening guidelines and protocols are strictly followed in the developed nations, it lacks in developing economies like India and China, which have the highest number of preterm deliveries in the world. The burden of this blindness in these countries is set to increase tremendously in the future, if corrective steps are not taken immediately. ROP first emerged in 1940s and 1950s, when it was called retrolental fibroplasia. Several epidemics of this disease were and are still occurring in different regions of the world and since then a lot of research has been done on this disease. However, till date very few comprehensive review articles covering all the aspects of ROP are published. This review highlights the past, present and future strategies in managing this disease. It would help the pediatricians to update their current knowledge on ROP.