Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) like many other conditions is a lifetime disease that requires careful monitoring forever. This study will attempt to validate that statement by presenting a retrospective chart review of baby boomers born prematurely between 1946 and 1964. In addition, the characteristics of the baby boomers will be presented. Methods: The charts of 53 patients between the ages of 45 and 56 who were premature at birth and developed ROP were reviewed. Results: Thirty–eight patients (72%) were female and 15 (28%) were male. The average age was 49.8 years and the median was 50. Birth weights ranged from 466 Grams to 1701 Grams with an average of 1204 Grams and a median of 1333 Grams. There were 101 eyes since five eyes had been enucleated in infancy. Seventeen patients (32%) had rhegmatogenous retinal detachments, and in two instances detachments were bilateral. Five eyes (9%) developed exudative retinal detachments, and two patients had exudation without detachment that was treated with cryotherapy. Thirty–eight patients (72%) were myopic compared to a national average of 20%. Twenty–three patients (43%) representing 32 eyes had undergone cataract surgery in at least one eye. Three patients (6%) in this age group had neovascularization of the iris and two (4%) of these developed neovascular glaucoma. Conclusions: There are numerous long term sequelae of ROP in baby boomer prematures underscoring the importance of continued followup
Keywords: retinopathy of prematurity