Synonyms in the broadest sense
Retinopathy of prematurity
Definition
Retinopathy of prematurity is an underdevelopment of the retina of the eye in premature infants. Since the newborn child is born too early, its organs are not yet fully developed and prepared for the world outside the womb. This is a threatening disease for the eye, which can lead to blindness of the premature baby.
The vessels of the eyes are not yet sufficiently developed and therefore suffer damage. General causesRetinopathy of prematurity is primarily caused by the toxicity of oxygen to the developing retinal vessels. Oxygen acts as a poison in preterm birth because the retinal vessels have not yet adapted to the changed environmental conditions.
In the womb, the vessels would have developed even further to supply the entire retina. If the oxygen concentration increases too early, the growth of the vessels stops. Oxygen prevents the release of growth factors that are supposed to stimulate the retinal vessels to grow.
Mature infants usually have no risk of developing retinopathy, as the retina is already completely supplied with vessels. Risk FactorsAdditional risk factors that may promote retinopathy are: What exactly happens in the development of retinopathy of prematurity? The exact course of events has not yet been clearly clarified and is still being discussed.
The following theory offers an explanation: once the premature baby is born and starts to breathe on its own – although some premature babies are also given artificial respiration – the oxygen level in their blood increases. This causes the vessels of the immature retina to contract. As a result, the retina is not only equipped with immature vessels, but cannot be supplied with sufficient oxygen, growth factors and nutrients by these existing vessels.
If this constriction is permanent, the vessels close up completely. Based on different findings at the back of the eye, retinopathy of prematurity can be divided into five stages, each of which is characterized by specific progressive features. They are all characterized by a proliferation of the vascular connective tissue outside the retina.
This connective tissue forms strands that distinguish the normal, vascular retina from the avascular retina. In some stages, growth factors are released in increased amounts. In mild stages, this process is restricted to the retinal environment.
In more severe cases, the newly formed vessels grow into the vitreous body and can cause retinal detachment. The retinal detachment leads to blindness if it is not corrected. A further complication is the displacement of the lens to the front.
The outflow of aqueous humor is hindered and glaucoma occurs (glaucoma: increased intraocular pressure with various causes). Furthermore, a genetic component is being considered, since African Americans are less likely to develop retinopathy of prematurity than Caucasians.
- Immaturity
- Birth weight under 1000g
- Increase of CO2
- Blood Transfusions
- Borderline separating normal retina from immature retina
- Borderline is raised like a wall
- New abnormal blood vessels are formed, connective tissue multiplies, both grow into the vitreous body
- Partial detachment of the retina due to the pull exerted on it by the attached vessels and tissue strands
- Complete detachment of the retina
