Retinopathy of Prematurity was originally called retrolental fibroplasias. Scientists theorized that the condition was caused by the use of oxygen therapy to treat the immature lungs in premature infants. Today, it has been found that oxygen is not the only factor in developing ROP. High levels of oxygen have been associated with ROP, but lower levels of oxygen may lead to more respiratory complications and death in premature infants. Presently, there is an increase in ROP due to the fact that neonatal care advances mean more low weight premature infants are surviving. There are a number of risk factors that are associated with ROP. These include infants born under 32 weeks gestation, high levels of supplemental oxygen, lower birth rate of less than1500 grams, concurrent illnesses, anemia, high carbon dioxide levels, seizures, lkow heart rate or bradycardia, mechanical ventilation, blood transfusions, apnea, bleeding in the brain, and multiple maternal factors such as heavy smoking, diabetes and preeclampsia.
All of the premature children are at a higher risk for other eye and vision complications. Eye examinations every six months are thus highly recommended for all infants born under 32 weeks or that weigh less than 1500 grams. Studies also have shown that twenty percent of these premature infants without ROP will still develop a crossing or turning out of the eyes and significant refractive problems. The retina in these children’s eyes may become stretched and pulled by the contraction of the scars in the eye. This may lead to retinal detachment. Strabismus is another complication and it is the crossing in or turning out of an eye. Amblyopia is another condition found in ROP patients. It is a loss of vision in one eye, because the brain does not use that eye to see. Cataract and corneal problems may also develop as complication in children born with ROP. Glaucoma may develop too.
The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the feasibility of using semiautomated analysis of digital fundus images to quantify effects of photocoagulation on retinal vessel diameter in retinopathy of prematurity. The method by which the study took place was described.
Fourteen eyes, of seven patients, were tested. These 14 eyes were diagnosed to have threshold ROP. In the study, 12 eyes of six patients were tested as control group. The article tells that the fundus images of the patient’s eyes were captured before and after photocoagulation. This was done one to three weeks apart in the control group. The images of the fundus were taken using an NM200D camera, with software to design to measure the vessel diameter of the eyes. The t test statistical tool analysis was used to assess vessel changes. The results of the study showed that there was a significant reduction in average largest retinal vein diameter of less -18 percent +/- 16 percent, this can be clearly seen under a digital microscope. They compared the results with the control group. The latter group showed diameter reduction significant in veins and arteries. The study concluded that the diameter of retinal vessels decreases after photocoagulation. The analysis of digital microscope images is feasible and may be helpful in quantifying treatment effects.Read more