What is ROP? 

Retinopathy of Prematurity is what some would say is a short cycled disease, it presents itself at around 28-32 weeks gestation and can advance in stages to blindness in weeks. 

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), was originally called Retrolental Fibroplasia, and it was the leading cause of blindness in children in the 1940s and 1950s. It was first described in the medical literature in 1942. In 1952, it was thought that the condition was caused by the use of oxygen therapy to treat the immature lungs in premature infants. Today, we realize that oxygen is not the only factor in developing ROP. High levels of oxygen have been associated with ROP, but lower levels of oxygen may lead to more respiratory complications and death in premature infants.  Better oxygen level monitoring has led to better control of the oxygen given to premature infants.  Today, however, there is an increase in ROP due to the fact that neonatal care advances mean more low weight premature infants are surviving.

What happens to the eyes? 

The internal surface of the back of the eye is lined by a tissue, called the retina. This tissue is equivalent to the film in a camera and is responsible for the initial formation of the visual image. This is then transmitted to the brain. In order to function, the retina requires a blood supply. The normal development of this blood supply for the retina starts at 16 weeks into a pregnancy and is completed by 36 weeks.
If an infant is born prematurely the retinal blood vessel development is incomplete and problems occur. Abnormal blood vessels may develop which can subsequently lead to bleeding and scar tissue formation. This may then stretch the retina pulling it out of position. 

For more information about Retinopathy of Prematurity please visit Schepens Retina Association at:

http://www.schepens.com/retinopathy_of_prematurity.htm