Optimization of retinopathy of prematurity screening in a tertiary neonatal unit in Northern Greece based on 16-year data

Objective The optimal modification of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening policy in our unit, by tightening the applicable screening criteria, without missing treatment-requiring ROP (TR-ROP). Study design Retrospective analysis of screened infants with gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks and/or birth weight (BW) < 1501 g as well as cases beyond these thresholds but with comorbidities (April 2004 to April 2020). Result Of 1560 included infants, 18.4% (n = 288) developed any stage of ROP and 3.1% (n = 49) were treated. TR-ROP occurred at a mean (SD) 36(2/7) (2(5/7)) weeks PMA, and not before a minimum of 32(3/7) weeks PMA. No treated infant would have been missed if screening criteria were reduced to GA < 30 weeks and/or BW < 1251 g. This modification would have resulted in 826 (52.9%) fewer infants undergoing screening. Conclusion Modifying the current screening criteria to GA < 30 weeks and/or BW < 1251 g would have spared over half of the screened infants from unnecessary examinations, without missing TR-ROP.