Latest Trends in Retinopathy of Prematurity: Research on Risk Factors, Diagnostic Methods and Therapies

Abstract

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disorder with an imminent risk of blindness, in cases where early diagnosis and treatment are not performed. The doctors' constant motivation to give these fragile beings a chance at life with optimal visual acuity has never stopped, since Terry first described this condition. Thus, throughout time, several specific advancements have been made in the management of ROP. Apart from the most known risk factors, this narrative review brings to light the latest research about new potential risk factors, such as: proteinuria, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and blood transfusions. Digital imaging has revolutionized the management of retinal pathologies, and it is more and more used in identifying and staging ROP, particularly in the disadvantaged regions by the means of telescreening. Moreover, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and automated diagnostic tools based on deep learning offer new perspectives on the ROP diagnosis. The new therapeutical trend based on the use of anti-VEGF agents is increasingly used in the treatment of ROP patients, and recent research sustains the theory according to which these agents do not interfere with the neurodevelopment of premature babies.

Global, regional and national burden of retinopathy of prematurity among childhood and adolescent: a spatiotemporal analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

“…These findings highlight that early diagnosis and timely treatments are urgently needed in the world. 12 Specifically, the trends of global prevalence of ROP caused moderate vision loss and severe vision loss were increasing, while the prevalence of ROP caused blindness showed decreasing trend. Therefore, although the blindness caused by ROP has been alleviated to some extent, moderate to severe visual impairment is still a concern, which reflects the significance of early treatment for ROP from another perspective.…”

Newborn screening: a comprehensive approach to the diagnosis of hereditary and congenital diseases

“…У недоношених дітей серед патологій органа зору найперше діагностують ретинопатіюпроліферативне судинне ураження сітківки, яке може призвести до стійкої втрати зору [7,9,52]. Дослідники пропонують різні алгоритми прогнозування ризику розвитку ретинопатії недоношених (РН): непряму бінокулярну офтальмоскопію, поєднану зі склеральним вдавленням [60]; ультразвукове дослідження очей; цифрові системи діагностики [7,52], оптичну когерентну томографію (ОКТ) [9,53]. Скринінг ранньої діагностики РН з використанням ультразвукового дослідження очей дозволяє оцінити її ступінь та своєчасно розпочати лікування.…”

“…Новітнім трендом візуалізації сітківки новонароджених є метод оптичної когерентної томографії (ОКТ) з використанням портативного варіанту ОКТ в спектраль-ному домені [21]. До недавнього часу дослідження ОКТ були зосереджені на змінах в задній частині сітківки, оскільки периферичний огляд був обмежений кутом ОКТ [9]. Щоб підвищити переваги ОКТ для РН, розробляються системи ОКТ з навігаційним 3D і поперечним скануванням [10].…”

Retinal Image Quality Assessment Using Morphological Operations

“…Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is an eye disease affecting babies born before term. Their retina vessels do not grow normally and stop growing at some point causing abnormality [1]. The disease symptoms differ at every Stage.…”

“…The first Stage has the formation of a thin white line which forms when retina vessels stop growing [2], [3]. In Stage II, the white line grows in width and depth and its color turns from white to pink [1], [2], [3]. For Stage III, the abnormal vessels growth is more visible during diagnosis and should be diagnosed at this stage because treatment is possible [3].…”