Changing patterns in retinopathy of prematurity.
In the past 20 years, the survival rates for premature infants have improved. To reassess the incidence of cicatricial retinopathy of prematurity, 197 consecutive premature infants were examined. Each child was seen at intervals until age 6 months. Changes that could influence visual acuity were found in 22% of those with birth weight less than 1,000 g; 10% of those between 1,001 and 1,250 g; and 0% of those greater than 1,250 g. These findings were compared to a similar study performed at our university a decade earlier. A significant reduction in the incidence of premature retinopathy was demonstrated. However, because greater numbers of profoundly premature infants are surviving, the number of children with retinopathy of prematurity appears to be increasing.