At University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview significant improvements have been made to reduce severe retinopathy of prematurity in infants. A revision in guidelines among NICU patients caused the number of premature infants who develop severe retinopathy to decrease from 28 percent in 2005 to 14 percent in 2006. In cases where surgery was required, it dropped nearly 50 percent.

Dr. Stephen P. Christiansen, director, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus along with nursing and the NICU quality committee are conducting additional research to measure the outcome comparison at a national level. “The results of this study will have profound effects on the way we treat and care for our smallest patients”, states Dr. Christiansen. The outcome of this study is due out later this year.

Retinopathy is an eye disorder that occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow and spread throughout the retina causing it to separate or scar. This condition, at its worst case, can cause blindness. Infants who are born prematurely or with low birth weight may have blood vessels that are not fully developed. Although blood vessel growth continues after birth, they may develop abnormally or in a disorganized pattern known as Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). ROP occurs in 16 percent of all premature births and in 50 percent of babies weighing less than 1,700 grams at birth. In the United States, 2,100 children experience complications from ROP.

For additional information regarding the retinopathy study, please contact University of Minnesota Ophthalmology Department at 612-625-4400.