Preterm Retinopathy of Prematurity and risk factors from a tertiary health care unit: A descriptive study

Introduction: Retinopathy Of Prematurity (ROP), is the major preventable blindness in infants. A study was conducted to find the risk factors of ROP in premature infants with gestational age (GA) < 36 weeks. Methods: It was a descriptive study conducted in Kakatiya Medical College, Hanumakonda. Babies with major congenital, chromosomal anomalies were excluded. One hour before screening, a drop of Tropicamide was instilled for every 10 – 15 minutes for 4 times followed by a drop of Phenylephrine just before examination. ROP screening was carried out by a senior ophthalmologist in NICU. First, the anterior segment was examined. This was followed by sequential examination of all clock hours of the peripheral retina and findings were recorded. Association between variables was analysed by using Chi-Square test. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: ROP was detected in 31.4%; statistically there was no significant difference between gender. Apnoea, hyperbilirubinemia, anaemia, respiratory distress were found to be the risk factors for ROP; statistically there was significant difference, respectively. Conclusion: Preventing prematurity is the best way to reduce ROP. Proper coordination between obstetrician, neonatologist and ophthalmologist can help to reduce the incidence.