Retinopathy of prematurity in a tertiary care center--incidence, risk factors and outcome

To study the incidence and risk factors predisposing to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to assess the outcome after laser photocoagulation. Prospective cohort observational study. Infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit of a referral hospital between 2000-2006 and followed up till the age of 3 years. Preterm infants with birthweight32 weeks were screened only if they had additional risk factors. Those found to have threshold disease ROP had laser photocoagulation. They were recalled at 3 years and had a complete ophthalmic check up. The incidence of ROP in the 552 infants who were screened was 22.3%. No ROP was found in infants weighing>or=2000 g or with a gestational age more than 36 weeks. Risk factors predisposing to ROP were septicemia (P