Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially blinding disease that affects premature infants, particularly those born before 31 weeks of gestation or weighing less than 2.75 pounds at birth. In ROP, abnormal blood vessels grow and spread across the retina, which can lead to scarring, retinal detachment, and vision loss. The condition is classified into five stages based on severity, with stages 1–2 often resolving on their own and stages 3–5 requiring treatment. Treatment options include laser therapy to stop abnormal vessel growth and anti-VEGF injections. Severe cases may require vitrectomy or scleral buckle surgery. At Elman Retina Group, Dr. Elman and Dr. Schechet provide expert evaluation and management of ROP.