Sapporo Medical Journal

Abstract : Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a fibrovascular retinal disease that affects the development of premature infants’ retinal vessels. Early retinal screening may play an important role to abolish visual loss among premature neonates. The current study was designated to report the local pediatricians’ and neonatologists’ perception of ROP screening protocols as well as its treatment. An anonymous self-administrated questioner was electronically distributed among pediatricians on a national scale. One hundred ten responded to the questionnaire. Nearly 87% worked in hospitals where ROP screening protocols existed. While the remaining had no screening protocol available in their facilities. Majority of study participants (91%) stated good information about ROP, however, less than 50% of them correctly reported sufficient information about ROP risk factors. Nevertheless, the majority agreed that screening programs are mandatory to be adopted within neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). They agreed that Laser photocoagulation therapy must be considered as the Soule treatment of choice. As Laser is superior to other modalities such as injectable anti-vascular endothelial growth factors and cryotherapy This concluded that most of national pediatricians do have sufficient information in regard of ROP that although junior residents still need to be weaponed with a comprehensive information about the disease.