REGRESSION PATTERN IN RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY

We characterized the regression pattern of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) for 266 infants examined over a 22-month period. Infants were in cluded in the evaluation with a birth weight of less than or equal to 1500 g. Regression of retinopathy was observed in all but 11 infants, who were treated for threshold ROP. ROP limited to the peripheral reti na resolved around term (40 weeks postconceptional age). Posterior ROP and/or stage 3 ROP underwent a protracted course of resolution, often not reaching zone 3 until 42 to 45 weeks after conception. Permanent retinal/vascular sequelae of ROP were observed in 10% of infants with ROP. The most common abnormality was failure to completely vascularize the temporal retinal periphery. Overall, retinal morbidity from ROP w as an infrequent occurrence (18 of 266 premature infants - 6.8%).