Latest Trends in Retinopathy of Prematurity: Research on Risk Factors, Diagnostic Methods and Therapies

Abstract

Laura Bujoreanu Bezman,1,2 Carmen Tiutiuca,1,3 Geanina Totolici,1,3 Nicoleta Carneciu,1,2 Florin Ciprian Bujoreanu,4 Diana Andreea Ciortea,5,6 Elena Niculet,2,4 Ana Fulga,3,4 Anamaria Madalina Alexandru,4,7 Daniela Jicman Stan,4 Aurel Nechita5,6 1Department of Ophthalmology, “Sfantul Apostol Andrei” Emergency Clinical Hospital, Galati, Romania; 2Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galati, Romania; 3Clinical Surgical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galati, Romania; 4Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galati, Romania; 5Department of Pediatrics, “Sfantul Ioan” Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, Galati, Romania; 6Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galati, Romania; 7Department of Neonatology, “Sfantul Apostol Andrei” Emergency Clinical Hospital, Galati, RomaniaCorrespondence: Carmen Tiutiuca, Clinical Surgical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galati, 800008, Romania, Tel [phone], Email [email protected] Florin Ciprian Bujoreanu, Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunărea de Jos” University, Galati, 800008, Romania, Tel [phone], Email [email protected]: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disorder with an imminent risk of blindness, in cases where early diagnosis and treatment are not performed. The doctors’ constant motivation to give these fragile beings a chance at life with optimal visual acuity has never stopped, since Terry first described this condition. Thus, throughout time, several specific advancements have been made in the management of ROP. Apart from the most known risk factors, this narrative review brings to light the latest research about new potential risk factors, such as: proteinuria, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and blood transfusions. Digital imaging has revolutionized the management of retinal pathologies, and it is more and more used in identifying and staging ROP, particularly in the disadvantaged regions by the means of telescreening. Moreover, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and automated diagnostic tools based on deep learning offer new perspectives on the ROP diagnosis. The new therapeutical trend based on the use of anti-VEGF agents is increasingly used in the treatment of ROP patients, and recent research sustains the theory according to which these agents do not interfere with the neurodevelopment of premature babies.Keywords: retinopathy of prematurity, risk factors, optical coherence tomography, telescreening, artificial intelligence, anti-VEGF

Keywords

• retinopathy of prematurity
• risk factors
• optical coherence tomography
• telescreening
• artificial intelligence
• anti-vegf