Challenges and Future Directions in the Detection and Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abstract

Multicenter studies addressing screening and intervention for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) inform the management guidelines jointly recommended by American pediatric and ophthalmology academies. Current research focuses on improvements in the identification of ROP and in the treatment of high-risk disease. The development of digital image technology may address various challenges in the diagnosis of ROP, including availability of pediatric ophthalmologic expertise, interobserver variation in diagnosis, and inherent limitations in visual diagnosis. Improved clinical prediction models based on nonophthalmologic data may complement examination-based ROP diagnosis. Alternatives to retinal ablation therapy are being studied to decrease the associated morbidities of such therapy.