Preterm-associated visual impairment and estimates of retinopathy of prematurity at regional and global levels for 2010.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of potentially avoidable childhood blindness worldwide. We estimated ROP burden at the global and regional levels to inform screening and treatment programs, research, and data priorities.

Methods

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were undertaken to estimate the risk of ROP and subsequent visual impairment for surviving preterm babies by level of neonatal care, access to ROP screening, and treatment. A compartmental model was used to estimate ROP cases and numbers of visually impaired survivors.

Results

In 2010, an estimated 184,700 (uncertainty range: 169,600-214,500) preterm babies developed any stage of ROP, 20,000 (15,500-27,200) of whom became blind or severely visually impaired from ROP, and a fur

SUBMITTER: Blencowe H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3873709 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature