Retinopathy of prematurity (Q41782)

Retinopathy of prematurity is a vasoproliferative disorder that affects extremely premature infants potentially leading to severe visual impairment or blindness. Exposure of newborn premature infants to hyperoxia down regulates retinal vascular endothelial growth factor. Blood vessels constrict and can become obliterated, resulting in delays of normal retinal vascular development. Low birth weight, young gestational age, and severity of illness (e.g. respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis) are associated factors. It primarily occurs in extremely low birth weight infants because of the cessation of normal retinal vascular maturation.