Advances in diagnosis, clinical care, research, and treatment in retinopathy of prematurity

The appearance of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) has changed throughout the world and since the first description of “retrolental fibroplasia” in 1942. However, despite advances in neonatal care and the abilities to improve the survival of ever younger and smaller premature infants, ROP remains a leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide. We know that ROP is complex in that it is influenced by genetic predisposition, epigenetic regulation, and environmental risks. It is strongly associated with extreme degrees of prematurity, and the “phenotype” of ROP depends on resources available to support premature infants with adequate nutrition and regulation of oxygen, as examples. New studies also suggest that what is seen in the preterm infant retina may portend later neurodevelopmental outcomes. Therefore, we believe this is a needed time to revisit ROP and provide a thematic issue focused on ROP from several perspectives.