Screening for ROP usually begins when the infant
is about 4 to 6 weeks of age. An eye doctor
(ophthalmologist), who specializes in either retinal disorders
(retinal specialist) or children's eye diseases (pediatric
ophthalmologist), uses a special instrument (an indirect
ophthalmoscope) which allows a view through its optic lens into
the back of the eye to examine the retina and determine whether
development of the blood vessels is occurring normally or not.
The infant is usually given some eye drops to
make the pupil dilate so that the viewing field is as wide as
possible. A light anesthetic, in the form of numbing eye
drops, may also be administered.
The examinations are usually performed in the
neonatal intensive care nursery where the neonatal staff can
continue to monitor the baby.
The infant will continue to be examined every 1
to 2 weeks until one of the following occurs:
Development of the normal blood supply to the
retina is complete.
Two successive 2-week exams show Stage 2 in
Zone III. Infants will then be examined every 4 to 6
weeks until the blood supply to the retina is fully developed.
ROP is at "prethreshold", just
prior to requiring treatment. Follow-up exams will then
occur every week until either Threshold ROP occurs, which
requires treatment, or the retinopathy of prematurity
disappears.
The ROP is disappearing.
After two successive 2-week exams have shown
regression, examinations should be continued every 4 to 6 weeks.
Once the normal blood supply to the retina is
completely developed, the infant will continue to be examined
every 6 to 12 months by a pediatric ophthalmologist or retinal
specialist to ensure that no further complications of ROP occur.
