Review of incidental ocular pathologies detected during the screening of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants

AIM: The aim of the study was to report the spectrum of ocular pathologies other than retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) occurring in preterm babies, suggesting the need for universal screening in all babies. METHODS: Babies born before 34 weeks of gestational age (GA) and/or weighing <2000 g were screened at around 4 weeks of postnatal age and those born before 28 weeks of GA and weighing <1200 g were examined at 2–3 weeks of postnatal age. Babies between 34 and 36 weeks of GA or birth weight of 1750–2000 g with additional risk factors were also screened. Pupils were dilated using a fixed dose combination of 0.4% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine. The babies underwent retinal imaging using the 3nethra neo camera, Forus, India, by a skilled ophthalmic photographer. RESULTS: A total of 1437 preterm babies were screened in an outreach project which spanned 18 hospitals equipped with neonatal intensive care centers (neonatal intensive care units) in an urban setting during the study period. A total of 4339 screening sessions were conducted. Of these infants, 754 (52.47%) were male and 683 (47.52%) were female babies. Among the enrolled infants, 165 (12.16%) had ocular findings other than ROP. Of the 165 cases, 70 (42.42%) were anterior segment and globe pathologies, whereas the remaining 95 (57.57%) were posterior segment pathologies. CONCLUSION: Timely screening helps in identifying and managing potentially vision-threatening pathologies including ROP. This will help reduce the burden of childhood blindness worldwide.