Module 1 - Screening

Module 1 deals with screening children and the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity. 

Of the material from the Retinopathy of Prematurity Cryo Study, the most important feature that remains is the importance of screening. 

Screening currently is suggested for children less than 1500 grams birth weight and should be instituted prior to a postmenstrual age of 31 weeks and continue until 50 weeks PMA.

It is important to examine the child at two-week intervals if no retinopathy of prematurity is present and one week intervals if retinopathy of prematurity is present. 

It is very important for the doctor to be in touch with the tempo of the disease.  More rapidly moving retinopathy of prematurity may demand more rapid intervention. 

Currently available in some areas, is photographic screening is possible, which hurriedly reduces the possibility of error in the screening process. 

This is however very expensive and screening can be performed by indirect ophthalmoscope. 

 The person doing the screening must be aware of the ICROP classification system.