Retinopathy of prematurity in extremely low birthweight infants.

From 1977 to 1982, 108 infants weighing less than 1000 g at birth were examined in a nursery for premature babies for evidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Of these 108 infants, 88 were subjected to follow-up examinations for periods of 10 months to six years. ROP had been observed in 53% (47/88) of these children; it had been severe in 31% (27/88). Subsequently, 19% (17/88) of these children developed retrolental fibroplasia (RLF); all of these had had severe ROP, except one, in whom it is presumed to have been missed. The RLF was severe in only one eye of one child. Each of these infants had received only 25 mg of vitamin E by mouth. The writers consider that the case for the administration of large doses of vitamin E in the prevention of RLF is still not proven and conclude that, if vitamin E does have a protective effect, then a dose of 25 mg is sufficient.