Retina-Vitreous
2012 , Vol 20 , Num 0
Pathophysiology of Retinopathy of Prematurity
M.D. Associate Professor., Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara/TURKEY
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), an ocular disease characterized by onset of vascular abnormalities in the developing retina, is the major cause of visul impairment and blindness in prematüre neonates. ROP is a complex multifactoriel diesease with microvascular dejeneration at different stages followed by neovascularisation and some cases resulting in retinal detachment. Currently used ablative therapies like croyocoagulation and laserfotocaogulation for proliferative ROP have limitations and patients can stil have long-term complications despite a successful treatment. Based on knowledgement on ROP patophsiology new treatment modalities are developing. First results of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy using bevacizumab are promasing. Furthermore bisede of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy, systemic therapy with mediators like IGF-1 (Insulin like grwoth factor) and/or ω3- fatty acids outline pharmacological approach for treatment of ROP. One of the most destructive manifestation of ROP is preretinal neovascularisation. As we continue to decipher the underlying pathophysiological cellular mecahnisms governing proliferative retinopathy, fostering normal retinal revascularisation will open new therapeutic possibilities. All effort should be investigatet in nondestruktif therapy modalities, devoloping preventif strategies of ROP.
Keywords :
Retinopathy of prematurity, pathophysiology