Retinopathy of prematurity

The following babies need screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

• Gestational age at birth - up to 30 weeks + 6 days gestation
  OR
• Birthweight - 1500 g or less

[SEE APPENDIX 1]

For infants born before 31+0:

Book the first screen as soon as both the criteria below are met

• Babies must be at least 4 weeks old
  
  
• Babies must be 31+0 weeks corrected gestational age or more

For infants born from 31+0 (who weight 1500g or less):

Book the first screen as soon as the infant is:

• 4 weeks old

OR

• Is 36 weeks corrected gestational age

Subsequent screening: Screening will then continue at intervals designated by the Ophthalmologist (usually 1 to 2 weekly) until the retinae are fully vascularised or there is felt to be no ongoing risk of the infant developing severe ROP. Where it is likely that the infant will be discharged before the next screen is due a decision should be made in conjunction with the ophthalmologist as to the most appropriate time and venue for the next screen.

Local arrangements for screening:

Each neonatal unit has its own arrangements for screening, which may be subject to change. It is important that staff in each unit are aware of local arrangements for screening as well as contact details for the visiting ophthalmologist and his/her secretary. It is the responsibility of the attending neonatal unit medical staff to ensure that babies who are eligible for screening are identified and screened timeously and that medical records are up to date. Sufficient sterile examination packs should be available (one for each infant) for each screening session.

Each unit keeps an ROP diary and it is the responsibility of neonatal staff to enter each eligible baby’s name into the diary on the date that they will commence ROP screening (see guideline).  It is recommended that a subsequent check is made, prior to the ophthalmologist visit, that all eligible babies are recorded in the diary. The ophthalmologist (or their secretary) will confirm, in advance, the date and time of the screening round to ensure that drops are administered appropriately.  Following the ROP round, the ophthalmologist will record the timing of the next appointment in the ward diary and complete the Badger ROP screening entry

N.B. No infant's screening should be cancelled or postponed without consultant sanction. If a decision is made to postpone screening, this decision must be reviewed weekly, and documented in the infant’s case record. The parents should be updated regarding the rationale for and implications of delayed screening.

• Inform the parents that the examination is to occur and the reasons for this. They should be provided with a copy of the leaflet  Screening for retinopathy of prematurity Information for parents and carers
• Prescribe eye drops as below:-
  • Cyclopentolate 0.5%. 1 drop only in each eye at 60 mins and 1 drop only at 55 mins before the examination
  • Phenylephrine 2.5%. 1 drop only in each eye at 60 mins and 1 drop only at 55 mins before the examination
  • Proxymetacaine 0.5% 1 drop in each eye immediately prior to the examination.
    The Proxymetacaine drops are administered by the Ophthalmologist.
    
    
• Additional analgesia in the form of oral sucrose may also be prescribed for administration during the procedure – see the guideline WoS_Sucrose_Neonates
• For unstable babies, the on-call registrar should make her/himself available to assist the ophthalmologist as required

• All screening results should be documented on ROP section of the Integrated Care Pathway at the front of the infant’s medical records.

• Inform the parents that treatment is required and the reasons for this. They should be provided with a copy of the leaflet Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Obtain written consent for the transfer to the Neonatal Unit at the Royal Hospital for Children
• Arrange transfer with the neonatal unit at RHSC, preferably for the afternoon before.
  If there is currently no bed available on the neonatal unit then a consultant to consultant phone call should take place. It is then the responsibility of the RHSC consultant to arrange a bed on site to comply with current guidelines.
• Book an ambulance transfer with the transport team
• Write a transfer letter to the doctors at RHSC informing them of the baby’s medical problems, present treatment, including medications, and any important recent test results.

It is the responsibility of the discharging doctor to ensure that ROP screening is completed.  An outpatient ophthalmology appointment should be organised prior to discharge via the following process:

Ideally babies should be screened before discharge; if a more mature infant is ready for discharge before 28 days of age, consideration should be given to early screening, hopefully to obviate the need for outpatient follow up. Such babies should be discussed with the ophthalmologist or attending consultant prior to administration of dilating drops.