Retinopathy of Prematurity - a literature review

Introduction and purpose Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a rare ophthalmological disease affecting prematurely born infants. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive review of ROP, with a focus on its pathogenesis, epidemiology, classification and treatment. State of knowledge Ret...

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Main Authors: Małgorzata Zach, Patrycja Rzeźnik, Aleksandra Borowy, Barbara Wołoszyn, Julia Guzowska, Julia Stępień, Maciej Sobczyk, Weronika Stachera, Wiktoria Suchcicka, Aleksandra Chajnowska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Kazimierz Wielki University 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Education, Health and Sport
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Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/61815
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author Małgorzata Zach
Patrycja Rzeźnik
Aleksandra Borowy
Barbara Wołoszyn
Julia Guzowska
Julia Stępień
Maciej Sobczyk
Weronika Stachera
Wiktoria Suchcicka
Aleksandra Chajnowska
author_facet Małgorzata Zach
Patrycja Rzeźnik
Aleksandra Borowy
Barbara Wołoszyn
Julia Guzowska
Julia Stępień
Maciej Sobczyk
Weronika Stachera
Wiktoria Suchcicka
Aleksandra Chajnowska
author_sort Małgorzata Zach
collection DOAJ
description Introduction and purpose Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a rare ophthalmological disease affecting prematurely born infants. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive review of ROP, with a focus on its pathogenesis, epidemiology, classification and treatment. State of knowledge Retinopathy of prematurity has been recognized for over 80 years. Since then, a standardized classification system: the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ICROP) has been developed, with the most recent (third) revision published in 2005. Treatment options have evolved from cryotherapy to laser photocoagulation and intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Surgical options, such as scleral buckling and vitrectomy are reserved for severe cases of ROP. Although the majority of ROP cases are mild and self-limiting, severe ones can lead to serious ophthalmic and non-opthalmic consequences. Early detection and treatment are therefore of critical importance. Conclusions Retinopathy of prematurity remains a significant global health concern. Effective prevention relies on careful administration of supplemental oxygen, with targets oxygen saturation levels between 90 and 94%, balancing the risks of ROP and mortality. That remains a challenge, primarily in middle- and low income countries. While various agents have been tested as explored as potential prophylactic therapies, further research is needed in this area. Therapeutic approaches have improved over time and are generally effective. Intravitreal anti-VEGF medications are now well-established in clinical practice, yet ongoing studies continue to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety profiles of different drugs.
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spelling doaj-art-6399a8feaa834178ae94d0936821eaca2025-08-20T03:14:12ZengKazimierz Wielki UniversityJournal of Education, Health and Sport2391-83062025-07-018310.12775/JEHS.2025.83.61815Retinopathy of Prematurity - a literature reviewMałgorzata Zach0https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8061-9613Patrycja Rzeźnik1https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9206-7300Aleksandra Borowy2https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5542-3225Barbara Wołoszyn3https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0386-1205Julia Guzowska4https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3515-121XJulia Stępień5https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6113-9581Maciej Sobczyk6https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1810-5916Weronika Stachera7https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9927-0667Wiktoria Suchcicka8https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8090-4852Aleksandra Chajnowska9https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2826-2926University Clinical Hospital named after Fryderyk Chopin in Rzeszów, Szopena 2, 35-055 RzeszówIndependent Public Health Care Facility- A Complex of Facilities in Maków Mazowiecki Witosa 2, 06-200 Maków MazowieckiMedical University of Warsaw Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 WarsawIndependent Public Health Care Facility- A Complex of Facilities in Maków Mazowiecki Witosa 2, 06-200 Maków MazowieckiDistrict Medical Centre in Grójec Piotra Skargi 10, 05-600 GrójecMedical University of Lublin Racławickie 1., 20-059 LublinMedical University of Lublin Racławickie 1., 20-059 LublinMedical University of Lublin Racławickie 1, 20-059 LublinNational Medical Institute of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration Wołoska 137, 02-507 WarsawIndependent Public Healthcare Center No.1 in Rzeszów Rycerska 4, 35-241 Rzeszów Introduction and purpose Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a rare ophthalmological disease affecting prematurely born infants. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive review of ROP, with a focus on its pathogenesis, epidemiology, classification and treatment. State of knowledge Retinopathy of prematurity has been recognized for over 80 years. Since then, a standardized classification system: the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ICROP) has been developed, with the most recent (third) revision published in 2005. Treatment options have evolved from cryotherapy to laser photocoagulation and intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Surgical options, such as scleral buckling and vitrectomy are reserved for severe cases of ROP. Although the majority of ROP cases are mild and self-limiting, severe ones can lead to serious ophthalmic and non-opthalmic consequences. Early detection and treatment are therefore of critical importance. Conclusions Retinopathy of prematurity remains a significant global health concern. Effective prevention relies on careful administration of supplemental oxygen, with targets oxygen saturation levels between 90 and 94%, balancing the risks of ROP and mortality. That remains a challenge, primarily in middle- and low income countries. While various agents have been tested as explored as potential prophylactic therapies, further research is needed in this area. Therapeutic approaches have improved over time and are generally effective. Intravitreal anti-VEGF medications are now well-established in clinical practice, yet ongoing studies continue to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety profiles of different drugs. https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/61815Retinopathy of PrematurityLaser CoagulationBevacizumabScleral BucklingVitrectomy
spellingShingle Małgorzata Zach
Patrycja Rzeźnik
Aleksandra Borowy
Barbara Wołoszyn
Julia Guzowska
Julia Stępień
Maciej Sobczyk
Weronika Stachera
Wiktoria Suchcicka
Aleksandra Chajnowska
Retinopathy of Prematurity - a literature review
Journal of Education, Health and Sport
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Laser Coagulation
Bevacizumab
Scleral Buckling
Vitrectomy
title Retinopathy of Prematurity - a literature review
title_full Retinopathy of Prematurity - a literature review
title_fullStr Retinopathy of Prematurity - a literature review
title_full_unstemmed Retinopathy of Prematurity - a literature review
title_short Retinopathy of Prematurity - a literature review
title_sort retinopathy of prematurity a literature review
topic Retinopathy of Prematurity
Laser Coagulation
Bevacizumab
Scleral Buckling
Vitrectomy
url https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/61815
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AT patrycjarzeznik retinopathyofprematurityaliteraturereview
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AT barbarawołoszyn retinopathyofprematurityaliteraturereview
AT juliaguzowska retinopathyofprematurityaliteraturereview
AT juliastepien retinopathyofprematurityaliteraturereview
AT maciejsobczyk retinopathyofprematurityaliteraturereview
AT weronikastachera retinopathyofprematurityaliteraturereview
AT wiktoriasuchcicka retinopathyofprematurityaliteraturereview
AT aleksandrachajnowska retinopathyofprematurityaliteraturereview