A PUBLICATION OF THE PHILIPPINE ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY | FOUNDED IN 1969
ISSN 3028-1202 (Online) | ISSN 0031-7659 (Print)
Vol 38 No 2 Original Article PDF

A Study Protocol on the Situational Analysis on the Current Practice of Screening and Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

Karina Q. De Sagun-Bella, MD, Theresa Gladiola B. Merca, MD, Jane Melissa L. Lim, MD, Alvina Pauline D. Santiago, MD, Pearl Tamesis-Villalon, MD, Andreas Mueller, PhD, MPH, Leo D.P. Cubillan, MD, MPH

Objective
The study protocolaims to provide an overview of the current practice of screening and treatment of ROP in the selected, to estimate the proportion of childhood blindness due to ROP and assess the number of premature babies at risk for ROP.
Methods:
The study protocol is a descriptive, cross sectional study design using survey questionnaire to be sent out to pediatric ophthalmologists, vitreo-retina specialists and division heads of the neonatal intensive care units of different hospitals in a selected area. Student records and medical abstracts from local schools for the blind will be obtained and will be reviewed. All qualitative data will be reported by frequency distribution and percentages. Extrapolation on the proportion of ROP in the area will be done.
Conclusions
Results from the study can show an overview of the current situation of ROP in a selected area and provide the framework for recommendations for programs aimed providing criteria for timely screening and treatment of ROP to prevent complications such as childhood visual impairment and blindness in the country.
Keywords: ROP, retinopathy of prematurity, retrolental fibroplasia, ischemic retinopathy, childhood blindness