The prognostic significance of shape of demarcation line and ridge in clinical course of active phase of retinopathy of prematurity

PURPOSE: We planed out a comparison of clinic significance between eyes with acute ROP with "bays" and ROP without "bays". Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a main reason of blindness in premature babies. There are no studies about shape of demarcation line and ridge in acute retinopathy of prematurity and its influence for clinical significance of ROP. In 11.42% of eyes with acute ROP we observed irregularities of demarcation line and ridge, which we called "bays". MATERIAL AND METHODS: We observed 140 premature babies (280 eyes) with acute ROP. In 32 eyes (11.42%) we stated "bays". We compared progression to stage ROP3c between group I (eyes with acute ROP and "bays") and group II (eyes with ROP without "bays). RESULTS: In 87.5% eyes with "bays" we observed progression to stage 3 c retinopathy of prematurity. In group without "bays" progression to stage 3c was observed only in 33.47%. CONCLUSIONS: We suppose, that presence of "bays" of demarcation line and ridge brings about worse prognosis at the course of acute retinopathy of prematurity.