Retinopathy of prematurity


  • Definition: disease of the retina with abnormal vessel proliferations that affects preterm infants
  • Pathophysiology: hypoxic in utero environment → preterm birth → elevated and fluctuating partial pressures of oxygen (especially if supplemental oxygen is given for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome) → ↓ VEGF → arrest of normal angiogenesis → maturation and hypoxia of the avascular retina → ↑ VEGF → retinal neovascularization and possibly pathological extraretinal neovascularization → hemorrhages, formation of fibrovascular membranes, and, in severe cases, retinal detachmenthighresdefault_L79418.jpg
  • Etiology
    • Premature birth
    • Ventilation or oxygen administration
    • Birth weight < 1500 g