Update in the Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an alteration in the development of the immature retina vascularization that frequently occurs in premature infants and is one of the leading causes of childhood blindness worldwide. In threshold stage retinopathy, laser photocoagulation is the standard treatment, particularly in those located in zone II. However, this therapy destroys parts of the retina and can lead to significant eye complications later in life. For this reason, in the last few years, antivascular endothelial growth factor agents are being used as monotherapy or as coadjuvant with laser, especially in retinopathy located in zone I. More recently, the administration of oral propranolol has been used as prevention and/or treatment of prethreshold retinopathy with encouraging results. This review provides an overview of the current evidence on newer treatment strategies for ROP. KEY POINTS: · Laser is the standard treatment in threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).. · Prethreshold stages of the ROP have no treatment.. · Propranolol may prevent the progression of ROP..

[Retinopathy of the premature: Update in screening and treatment]. / Retinopatía del prematuro: Actualización en detección y tratamiento.

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative disorder of the blood vessels of the immature retina, which affects mainly very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBW). The objective of this review is to describe to which infant the screening examination of this disease should be performed and to analy ze the recent advances in the treatment of this disease, which have emerged in the last decade. The detection of this disease is mainly focused on VLBW infants and newborns < 32 weeks of gestational age. In addition to laser photocoagulation, standard treatment today, new therapies have appeared, such as the anti-VEGF agents, which have been successfully used in the threshold ROP, especially located in zone I. This therapy is less harmful than laser photocoagulation and with better ocular results in the future. In recent years, oral propranolol has been used as a treatment for ROP in clinical trials, mainly in the pre-threshold stage (stage 2 or 3 in zone II or III). This drug is a beta-adrenergic blocker that can prevent the progression of retinopathy in pre-threshold to threshold stage and/or avoid the need for invasive therapies, such as laser photocoagulation or intravitreal administration of anti-VEGF agents. Laser photocoagulation continues to be the standard treatment for ROP. New treatments have emerged for ROP, such as anti-VEGF agents and oral propranolol, which could pre vent the progression of this disease from the pre-threshold to the threshold stage.

Retinopatía del prematuro: actualización en detección y tratamiento / Retinopathy of the premature: update in screening and treatment

Resumen: La Retinopatía del Prematuro (RDP) es una alteración proliferativa de los vasos sanguíneos de la retina inmadura, que afecta principalmente a los recién nacidos de muy bajo peso (RNMBP) y de menor edad gestacional. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir a qué niño se debe efectuar la detección de esta enfermedad y analizar los recientes avances en su tratamiento. La detección de RDP está dirigida principalmente a los RNMBP y a < de 32 semanas de edad gestacional, pero también se ha propuesto un criterio según edad postmenstrual. Además de la fotocoagulación con láser, tratamiento estándar en la actualidad, se han desarrollado nuevas terapias, como los agentes anti factor de crecimiento vas cular endotelial (VEGF), que se han utilizado exitosamente en la retinopatía umbral, especialmente localizada en zona I, con menos efectos adversos y mejores resultados oculares a futuro. que la fo tocoagulación con láser. En los últimos años, se han realizado ensayos clínicos con propranolol oral como tratamiento de la RDP, principalmente en la etapa pre-umbral (etapa 2 o 3 en zona II ó III). Este bloqueador beta-adrenérgico puede prevenir la progresión de la retinopatía en RNMBP de etapa pre- umbral a umbral y/o evitar la necesidad de terapias invasivas, como la fotocoagulación con láser o la administración intravítrea de agentes anti-VEGF. La fotocoagulación con láser continúa siendo el tra tamiento de elección en la RDP. Los agentes anti-VEGF y el propranolol oral, evitarían la progresión de esta patología de etapa pre-umbral a umbral, y podrían complementar el tratamiento de la RDP.

Abstract: Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative disorder of the blood vessels of the immature retina, which affects mainly very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBW). The objective of this review is to describe to which infant the screening examination of this disease should be performed and to analy ze the recent advances in the treatment of this disease, which have emerged in the last decade. The detection of this disease is mainly focused on VLBW infants and newborns < 32 weeks of gestational age. In addition to laser photocoagulation, standard treatment today, new therapies have appeared, such as the anti-VEGF agents, which have been successfully used in the threshold ROP, especially located in zone I. This therapy is less harmful than laser photocoagulation and with better ocular results in the future. In recent years, oral propranolol has been used as a treatment for ROP in clinical trials, mainly in the pre-threshold stage (stage 2 or 3 in zone II or III). This drug is a beta-adrenergic blocker that can prevent the progression of retinopathy in pre-threshold to threshold stage and/or avoid the need for invasive therapies, such as laser photocoagulation or intravitreal administration of anti-VEGF agents. Laser photocoagulation continues to be the standard treatment for ROP. New treatments have emerged for ROP, such as anti-VEGF agents and oral propranolol, which could pre vent the progression of this disease from the pre-threshold to the threshold stage.

Oral propranolol in early stages of retinopathy of prematurity.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of oral propranolol on the progression of early stages of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: We analyzed VLBW infants with ROP (stages 2-3, zones II-III). Newborns received oral propranolol (0.5 mg/kg/dose q8h), and were monitored throughout the treatment period for possible side effects. Propranolol was administered until regression of ROP. A historic control group of patients with equivalent ROP was used. We compared characteristics of both groups and the progression of retinopathy. RESULTS: Forty-seven newborns were included, 20 in the propranolol group and 27 in the control group. There were no significant differences in gestational age, birthweight or gender. The mean duration of treatment with propranolol was 58.2±17.6 days. Most patients started treatment with stage 2 disease (65.0%), and had zone III involvement (55.0%). In the treated group, 90.0% (18/20) of patients did not require intervention with laser or bevacizumab, compared to 51.8% in the control group (P<0.005). No cases of bradycardia, hypotension or hypoglycemia were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Oral propranolol in early stages of ROP could prevent disease progression and reduce the need for invasive rescue therapy with laser or bevacizumab. No significant side effects were reported.