Retinopathy of prematurity
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), also known as Terry's Syndrome or Retrolental Fibroplasia, is a disease that affects premature infants, particularly those born before 31 weeks of gestation. It involves abnormal development of the retina in the eyes, which can lead to vision loss or blindness.
Pronunciation
Retinopathy of Prematurity: /rɛtɪˈnɒpəθi ɒv ˌpriːməˈtjʊərɪti/
Etymology
The term "Retinopathy of Prematurity" is derived from the words "retina", referring to the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye, "pathy" from the Greek "pathos" meaning disease, "of", and "prematurity", referring to the early birth of the infant.
Definition
Retinopathy of Prematurity is a potentially blinding eye disorder primarily affecting premature infants weighing about 2¾ pounds (1250 grams) or less that are born before 31 weeks of gestation (a full-term pregnancy has a gestation of 38–42 weeks). The smaller a baby is at birth, the more likely that baby is to develop ROP.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of ROP is an abnormal appearance of the retina on examination. However, since infants cannot communicate about vision problems, the disease must be detected by regular eye examinations in high-risk newborns.
Causes
ROP occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow and spread throughout the retina, the tissue that lines the back of the eye. These abnormal blood vessels are fragile and can leak, leading to retinal scarring. When the scars shrink, they pull on the retina, causing it to detach from the back of the eye.
Treatment
Treatment options for ROP include laser therapy and cryotherapy. Both of these treatments aim to stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels by creating small burns or freezing the peripheral area of the retina.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Retinopathy of prematurity
- Wikipedia's article - Retinopathy of prematurity
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