Additional Complications of ROP

For most infants with mild retinopathy of prematurity (stages 1 to mild 3), the ROP will resolve spontaneously with no remaining scar tissue. But if the disease should progress, some infants with ROP may suffer further complications later in life. These complications may include:

-Strabismus and Amblyopia.
Strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy vision in one eye) occur more often in infants with even the mildest stages of regressed ROP than in premature infants who do not develop ROP. This may require eye muscle surgery for strabismus and patching for amblyopia.

-Myopia.
This near-sightedness may occur with the mildest forms of regressed ROP. The greater the amount of ROP scar tissue remaining, the more severe the myopia. But such near-sightedness can be corrected with glasses.

-Glaucoma.
This increased pressure in eyes with regressed or treated ROP may cause pain and damage vision. Laser treatment or surgery may be necessary to help the eye drain off the build-up of watery fluid (aqueous fluid) that causes increased pressure.

-Late-onset retinal detachment.
In rare cases this may occur in the mid-teens or early adulthood. As the eye grows or the vitreous gel shrinks, ROP scar tissue can pull holes in the retina. This usually requires surgery to repair. It’s important that anyone who has had ROP see a retinal specialist or pediatric ophthalmologist at least once a year during childhood and early adult years.