«Back to the glossary index

Retinopathy is a term used in ophthalmology to refer to any non-inflammatory disease that affects the retina. The retinopathy of prematurity It occurs when the blood vessels of the retina present an abnormal development. 

This disease affects premature babies and must be treated to avoid irreversible vision problems. In Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We explain what retinopathy of prematurity is. 

retinopathy-of-prematurity

What is it?

The retina is a fetosensitive tissue on which light is projected. through the optic nerve, transforms light into nerve signals and sends them to the brain so that it can convert them into images. 

Retinopathy of prematurity is an eye disorder characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina of the eye. This disease affects premature babies born before the 31st week of gestation and weighing 1,25 kg or less. 

When retinopathy of prematurity is very advanced, the enlarged blood vessels extend to the vitreous humor Of the eye. Bleeding from these capillaries can scar the retina and worsen the adhesion of the vessels to the back of the eye. 

In most cases, retinopathy of prematurity resolves on its own without the need for treatment. However, this disease is a risk factor for detached retina. If this happens, irreversible vision problems can occur.

Causes

During the process of formation of the fetus, blood vessels grow from the center of the retina until the 16th week of gestation. Later, they begin to expand until they reach the ends of the retina, which occurs at approximately 8 months of pregnancy. 

When a baby is born prematurely at 31 weeks' gestation, the normal development of the retinal blood vessels is disrupted and can lead to abnormal blood vessel growth. 

Symptom

It is very important to highlight that retinopathy of the newborn has no symptoms that indicate its presence or development in the newborn's eye. 

The only way to detect retinopathy of prematurity is through a Ophthalmological examination. Hence the importance of every newborn being examined by an ophthalmologist at birth. 

Treatment of retinopathy of prematurity

Some of the cases of this disease are mild and progress positively without the need for treatment. When the disease progresses towards scarring and retinal detachment, it is important to treat it immediately with surgical treatment.

Options for treating retinopathy of prematurity include: 

Laser surgery

It is the most used technique. It consists of small laser emissions that impact the child's eye to create a scar in the peripheral retina and thus stop the bleeding and growth of the capillaries. This procedure takes approximately 45 minutes for each eye. 

Cryotherapy

It allows to freeze a certain part of the eye that extends beyond the retinal edges. Nowadays it is not used as much, because the results of laser surgery are better.

Pharmaceutical products

Some growth inhibitor drugs endothelial vascular offer to block the growth of blood vessels in retinopathy of prematurity. However, the effect of these drugs is still under investigation.

En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada we are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity. If your little one needs an ophthalmological check-up and rule out possible problems of this type, contact us. We will wait for you!

Summary
Retinopathy of prematurity
Article name
Retinopathy of prematurity
Description
Retinopathy of prematurity is an eye disorder characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina of the eye.
Author
Name of the editor
Área Oftalmológica Avanzada
Editor's logo
Synonyms:
Retrolental fibroplasia, eye anemia, retinopathy
«Back to the glossary index