Retinopathy of Prematurity: Practical Approaches to Prevent Blindness

Learn how the screening of ROP can help manage and prevent vision loss in babies

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) affects babies born preterm, before 37 weeks of gestation. Over 15 million babies worldwide are born prematurely each year, and it’s estimated over 20,000 of them will become blind from ROP.

On this course, you will learn how a practical team approach needs to be aligned across neonatal care and ROP screening, and treatment and follow-up healthcare services to help prevent blindness in preterm babies. You will also look at how the risk of ROP and the level of neonatal care can differ between high and low-income settings.

Image © The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust / Poulomi Basu

This course is for healthcare professionals such as obstetric and neonatal nurses, neonatologists, paediatricians, ophthalmologists and clinical officers.

Image © The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust / Poulomi Basu

This course is for healthcare professionals such as obstetric and neonatal nurses, neonatologists, paediatricians, ophthalmologists and clinical officers.

Image © The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust / Poulomi Basu

• Describe the classification, epidemiology and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
• Assess and improve control strategies to prevent exposures to risk factors for ROP at birth and in the neonatal unit.
• Evaluate the application of screening for prevention and early detection of ROP and models of service provision.
• Explain the indications, methods of treatment and follow up for ROP.
• Identify the importance of a team approach within the clinical care setting and developing continuous quality improvement strategies.
• Reflect upon the importance of establishing clear documentation and communications for ROP management decisions with the neonatal and ophthalmic teams and with parents.
• Evaluate and modify the protocols and models for involving parents in ROP management and long-term follow-up.