Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was first noted in the late 1940s in preterm infants and described as retrolental fibroplasia, a total retinal detachment seen as white mass behind the lens. The disease was subsequently associated with excessive oxygen use [12, 14, 52]. Oxygen supplementation was curtailed with a decrease in ROP but with an increase in cerebral palsy and death. Supplemental oxygen is now delivered to premature infants to maintain adequate blood levels, but it is monitored carefully [37]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]