Retinopathy of prematurity: An evaluation in the Keelung area of Taiwan over a 10-year period

Background: We report on the experience of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at Chang Gang Memorial Hospital (CGMH), Keelung, Taiwan over a 10-year period. Methods: A retrospective review was made of data of all premature infants with a diagnosis of ROP at Keelung CGMH between 1994 and 2003. Data on certain characteristics including gender, gestational age (GA), birth body weight (BBW), stage of ROP, and treatment modalities were collected and analyzed. Results: Among the 458 infants screened for ROP, 148 eyes of 74 premature infants were diagnosed as having ROP. Threshold ROP occurred in 24 eyes of 12 infants. The average BBW and GA were significantly lower in the threshold than in the non-threshold ROP group (p < 0.05). According to medical records of the 24 eyes of the 12 patients receiving transscleral cryotherapy, anatomical success was attained in 13 (81.3%) of 16 eyes. Conclusions: This review found low GA and BBW to be major risk factors for ROP. This review shows that transscleral cryotherapy for treating threshold ROP achieved anatomical success in about 80% of eyes. However, myopia, amblyopia, and strabismus remain major sequelae. Laser therapy is now believed to be less damaging to ocular structures and just as effective as cryotherapy in treating ROP.