Therapeutic strategies for retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

Retinopathy of prematurity is a retinal vascular disease of premature infants and the major global cause of preventable childhood blindness. The number of infants at risk from blindness due to retinopathy of prematurity has increased because of improved survival of preterm infants. We discuss the current and potentially available treatments as well as preventive strategies for retinopathy of prematurity. Peripheral retinal ablation by indirect laser photocoagulation is currently the gold standard treatment; however, newer modalities of treatment that target the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway have shown promise in certain disease stages. In the neonatal wards, oxygen saturation level monitoring has been shown to be important in the prevention of retinopathy of prematurity. Research on insulin-like growth factor 1, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, lutein, and aldose reductase is providing encouraging information about prevention of the condition. More studies are warranted on the prospective implications of these new therapeutic or interventional strategies for retinopathy of prematurity.