To ensure the quality and safety of the retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening exam, the Pan American Health Organization's Clinical Practice Guidelines emphasize the importance of preparing the infant for fundus examination, including appropriate pain management and comfort during the procedure.
Before the ROP screening exam, to dilate the newborn's pupil, it is recommended:
Based on the highest level of evidence available, the Pan American Health Organization's Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend that the first ROP screening test be performed according to a schedule that considers gestational age and the time of the first ROP screening. In all cases, newborns at risk of ROP should have at least one ROP screening before being discharged from the neonatal unit.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the leading cause of preventable blindness in childhood. Managing ROP is a priority policy to reduce its prevalence and promote eye health.
Universal neonatal screening for eye anomalies is recommended. This should be accompanied by diagnostic and treatment services for infants in whom an abnormality is detected.
An estimated 1.14 million children aged 0-15 years are blind or have severe visual impairment due to eye conditions. The main causes of blindness are congenital and developmental cataracts, corneal scarring, congenital ocular anomalies, retinal dystrophies, glaucoma, and retinopathy of prematurity.