2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
12 Retina and Vitreous
Part II: Disorders of the Retina and Vitreous
Chapter 08: Retinopathy of Prematurity
Pathophysiology of ROP
Associated Conditions and Late Sequelae
Conditions more likely to occur in eyes with regressed ROP include the following:
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myopia with astigmatism
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anisometropia
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strabismus
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amblyopia
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cataract
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glaucoma
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macular pigment epitheliopathy
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vitreoretinal scarring
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abnormal vitreoretinal interface/adhesions
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tractional retinal detachment
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anomalous foveal anatomy
Though rare, both angle-closure and pupillary-block glaucoma may occur in myopic eyes with cicatricial ROP. Angle-closure glaucoma typically occurs before 10 years of age, but it can occur well into adulthood in affected individuals. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, exudative retinopathy, and recurrent vitreous hemorrhages can also occur later in life. ROP and its sequelae can cause problems throughout a patient’s life; therefore, long-term monitoring is crucial.
Unfortunately, even with the current guidelines for screening and treatment, approximately 400–600 infants become legally blind from ROP each year in the United States. Poor outcomes from ROP may be perceived as medical malpractice and therefore pose a risk for litigation by patients or their families. The Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company (www.OMIC.com) offers numerous tools to assist ophthalmologists in limiting their liability risk.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.