CLINICAL EVALUATION OF PREMATURE INFANTS FOR RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY IN MISURATA

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative retinopathy affecting premature infants of very low birth weight, who have been exposed to high ambient oxygen concentrations. With improvement in neonatal care and advance-ment of oxygen therapy control, more preterm infants are surviving with a resultant increase in the number of ROP cases. The aim of the study is to determine the incidence and risk factors associated with ROP in low birth weight infants. This prospective study conducted in Albasar Ophthalmology Clinic from May 2015 to September 2016 and includes the result of fundus examination of 52 premature infants referred from Asalam Hospital (neonatology de-partment) Misurata - Libya. All preterm infants received oxygen therapy by nasal tube or ventilator. 5 (9.6%) premature infants found to have ROP, all preterm infants were advised for a regular follow up. The age at first presentation varies from 3 to 13 weeks. Gestational age ranges between 27 to 31weeks. Birth weight ranges between 1000 to 1500 grams. Incubation period ranges from 2 to 45 days. Six babies were lost before completing the fundus examination. All the infants with the disease were more than 9 weeks old on first presentation and only one infant had birth weight more than 1250 grams. Two (3.8%) infants had severe ROP at least in one eye. It seems that this disease is a common problem in this city. Community education, government supply of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment will help early detection, proper management and reduce the incidence of the disease.