A Retrospective Analysis of the Timing of Initial Treatment of Bedside-Screened Versus Photographically Screened Eyes With Retinopathy of Prematurity.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A retrospective clinical study was performed to assess whether photographically screened and remotely read images for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) allowed for timely and accurate diagnosis of treatment-warranted ROP compared to bedside examination.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 130 eyes of 65 premature neonates in born at William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak NICU. Bedside examined (2006 to 2010) and telemedicine screened (2010 to 2014) neonates were compared to identify whether there is a statistical difference in postmenstrual age (PMA) at the time of treatment.

RESULTS: One hundred thirty eyes of 65 infants met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thirty-five infants who needed laser treatment were screened bedside with an average PMA at treatment of 36.5 weeks. Thirty infants who needed treatment were photographically screened, with an average PMA at treatment of 36.4 weeks. Neither group had statistically different PMAs (P = .58).

CONCLUSION: This study confirms that telemedicine also allows for appropriately timed treatment for early ROP. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:e32-e35.].