[Eleven years experience in the management of retinopathy of prematurity in the Balearic Islands]. / Once años de experiencia en el manejo de la retinopatía del prematuro en las Islas Baleares.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and effectiveness of the treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in preterm births in the Balearic Islands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Protocol of prospective and consecutive study. We included preterm infants whose birth weights were under 1,501 g, or heavier infants requiring assisted oxygen therapy. Data for the 12 years between January 1992 and December 2003 were analyzed. We evaluated gestational age, birth weight, ROP stage and the effect of treatment following CRYO-ROP Study indications. A descriptive study was undertaken. RESULTS: We evaluated 446 babies. Average age and weight were 30.4 weeks and 1,178.4 g respectively. ROP was found in 93 infants (63.1%) weighing less than 1,000 g, in 50 (19.6%) weighing 1,000-1,500 g and in 5 (11.4%) weighing > 1,500 g. In regard to gestation, ROP was found in 27 (86.2%) babies born at < 27 weeks of gestation, in 87 (35.6%) born at 27-30 weeks of gestation and in 19 infants (12.7%) born at > 30 weeks gestation. There were 75 babies with stage III disease and 73.3% needed treatment. Retinal ablation was performed at 62.9 days. CONCLUSIONS: ROP incidence is inversely related to birth weight and gestational age. Three out of four babies who reached stage III disease needed treatment. The effectiveness of photocoagulation was over 90% when performed at 2 months of age.