Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Screening

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an eye disease that can happen in babies who are premature (born early) — or who weigh less than 3 pounds at birth. The retina is the most sensitive layer of the eye where light/picture is focused and the damage to Retina causes vision impairment or blindness.

Screening: Infants should be screened for ROP based on birth weight (≤1500 g), gestational age (30 weeks or less), and risk for ROP (eg, infants with hypotension or those who received oxygen supplementation). Some at-risk infants with a birth weight from 1500 g to 2000 g should also be screened. The first ROP screening should take place by 25-30 days of life. ROP has a poor prognosis and can lead to blindness.