Retinopathy of prematurity(ROP) is a disorder of the developing retina of low birth weight (LBW) preterm infants that potentially leads to blindness. The exact pathogenesis of ROP is not clear, but many predisposing risk factors have been reported, and immaturity determined by low gestational age and LBW seems to be the most important risk factor. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the incidence of ROP and the risk factors associated with its development. This study was conducted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Etlik Zübeyde Hanım Women’s Health Teaching and Research Hospital during the period from 1 January 2010 to December 2010. Ophthalmologic screening was performed in a total of 765 premature infants with birth weight <2000 g or gestational age less than 32 weeks and newborns born after 32 weeks with birth weight between 1500-2000 g having high risk and exposed to oxygen treatment for a long period. Of the 765 neonates screened, ROP of any stage was determined in 118 infants(15.4%). Mean birth weight and gestational age of these 118 infants were 1111±251 g and 28.8±2.2 weeks, respectively. Laser photocoagulation was needed in 23 of the neonates with ROP, and their mean birth weight and gestational age were 1033±244 g and 27.7±2.1 weeks, respectively. The statistically significant risk factors of laser photocoagulation were: low gestational age (p=0.006), LBW(p=0.048), duration of oxygen treatment(p=0.01), nasal continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) management(p=0.001), blood transfusion ≥2 (p=0.000), intraventricular hemorrhage(p=0.037), and apnea(p=0.012). There has been an increased incidence of ROP with the increased survival of extremely/very LBW infants. Thus, it is important for neonatologists and experienced ophthalmologists to be in agreement on a screening program for ROP and the risk factors in order to determine and treat ROP early for improved visual prognosis.

Keywords: prematüre, retinopati, lazer fotokoagülasyon.