Acute retrolental fibroplasia
J. D. Kingham
Three hundred eighty-four premature infants were examined by indirect
ophthalmoscopy in a period of 38 months. Sixty-eight were found to have
some degree of retrolental fibroplasia. Most pathologic changes resolved
spontaneously to normal or near normal. A classification was formulated,
based on peripheral vascular changes, to enable observers to interpret and
quantitate the amount of disease present. The role of the ophtalmologist in
the perinatal intensive care nursery is not to dictate the amount of oxygen
administration during the acute phase of respiratory distress syndrome but
to monitor peripheral fundus and posterior vascular changes of infants of
low birth weight, or who have received oxygen, or both, at a time that is
not detrimental to the health of the infant. To evaluate the possible
indications and efficacy of surgical intervention, an understanding of the
natural course of the disease process is mandatory.
