DONATE MAINS

Retinopathy of prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was previously known as retrolental fibroplasia (RLF). It is a potentially blinding disease caused by abnormal development of the retinal blood vessels in preterm infants. It belongs to the group of vitreoretinal dystrophies.

The disease was described for the first time in 1941 in Boston by T. L. Terry. Over a hundred further cases have been seen in the USA in 1942-1943. A relationship between the first reports of ROP and the developing neonatal care has initially been suggested.

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