Eye Conditions

Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a developmental disease of the eye that affects premature infants. When a baby is born, the retinal blood vessels have not completed their development. In patients with ROP, the blood vessels stop growing and new, abnormal blood vessels grow instead of normal retinal blood vessels. The developmental arrest and blood vessel maldevelopment may be temporary or permanent, minimal or severe. The most severe complication of this disease is bilateral blindness in early childhood.

Signs and Symptoms

• Initial signs

  • visible only by ophthalmoscopic examination

• Signs after the disease is severe

  • white pupils (leukocoria)

  • abnormal eye movements (nystagmus)

  • crossed eyes (strabismus)

  • severe nearsightedness (myopia)

Treatments and Prevention

• Early stages of ROP need observation-many return to normal

• Freezing treatments (cryotherapy)

• Laser therapy

UIC Specialists
Michael Shapiro, MD
Any Pediatric Ophthalmologist

Treatment Clinic/Service
Vitreoretinal Service
Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus Service

Eye Facts Article
Retinopathy of Prematurity

Clinical Trials
Michael Shapiro, MD, Site Principal Investigator

SPONSOR: National Eye Institute
TITLE: Early Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ETROP)
Study Center Coordinator: Jeffery Parker

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.