Global Challenges in Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening: Modern Solutions for Modern Times

It has been over 70 years¹ since Terry first described a case of retrolental fibroplasia, later to be known by its modern day name: retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Although major advances have been made in terms of understanding the pathophysiology and development of treatment plans for ROP, cost-effective screening has emerged as an important global challenge when dealing with ROP in the 21st century. The traditional model of ROP screening involves regular direct eye examinations by trained ophthalmologists on all at-risk neonates. However, the weaknesses of this model have become evident when one considers that: there is an ever increasing worldwide population of premature births; most premature births in the world …

Address correspondence to Kourosh Sabri, MB ChB, FRCOphth, Department of Surgery, McMaster Children’s Hospital, 1200 Main St West, Hamilton ON, Canada L8N3Z5. E-mail: sabrik{at}mcmaster.ca