RETINOPATHY OF PREMATTURITY (ROP) RETINOPATHY OF PREMATTURITY (ROP) • It is seen in premature infants who have been given high concentration of Oxygen. • High concentration of oxygen at birth cause obliteration of peripheral retinal arteries and veins, resulting in release of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) leading to neovascularization. Preventive measures for ROP 1. Primary actions • Parents are informed about retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), • screening, • treatment and outcomes (including the importance of breastfeeding for the prevention of ROP.) 2. Secondary actions • Develop and implement a unit guideline on prevention and management of ROP. • Develop information material on ROP for parents. • Develop fail-safe systems for the identification of infants at risk of ROP. • Develop formalized programs for education in oxygen saturation targets. • Develop formalized programs for promotion of mother’s own milk feeding 3. Tertiary actions • Developing and implementation of national guideline on prevention and management of ROP • Consider telemedicine support for screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). • treatment of ROP. • improve patient adherence to ophthalmological follow-up during screening and after treatment.