Intravitreal Anti-Vegf Therapy In Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the retinal vascular developmental disorder of the premature infants and it is a leading cause of childhood blindness. Hypoxia secondary to the immature retina with subsequent release of some mediators establish the characteristic feature of ‘progressive retinopathy’. The most promoter one among these mediators is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The screening and treatment criteria were identified in past literature and successful treatment results were revealed especially with anti-VEGF therapy in recent years. In this article, definition, screening, follow-up criteria and pathogenesis of ROP are summarized and current knowledge of anti- VEGF agent use in the treatment of the disease is reviewed.