Compliance with Screening Guidelines for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

Abstract

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of childhood blindness globally, particularly among preterm infants. Early diagnosis and intervention through proper screening can prevent vision loss. This study aims to assess the level of compliance with screening guidelines for ROP in a tertiary neonatal care unit. A retrospective study was conducted on 150 preterm infants born between 2019 and 2021, who were at risk of ROP. Data was collected from medical records regarding the timing, frequency, and documentation of eye screenings. The study found that 75% of eligible infants had timely eye screening as per the guidelines. However, 25% of infants either missed their first screening or were screened later than recommended. The factors influencing non-compliance included lack of proper documentation, staffing issues, and delays in referral. The study concludes that while there is a good compliance rate with ROP screening guidelines, improvement in documentation, staffing, and awareness of guidelines are essential to enhance compliance further and prevent visual impairment in at-risk infants.

Keywords: Retinopathy of Prematurity, ROP screening, compliance, preterm infants, neonatal care, vision loss.