[New concept of computer-based documentation of retinal findings in retinopathy of prematurity].

BACKGROUND

Pathological findings and clinical course of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are often documented with hand drawings. The use of software-based standardised symbols for ROP staging leads to improved documentation quality.

METHODS

We developed graphical symbols for all ROP stages as well as plus disease. All of the symbols were integrated into a java-based application as a particular ROP category of a complete symbol library for retinal changes. The symbols can be placed on a schematic retina with a mouse click. Using anchors each symbol can be individually adapted to the specific finding (size, position, shape).

RESULTS

The use of standardised symbols in a software package allows the computer-aided manufacturing of graphically high-quality documentation in affordable time. The distinct assignment of all symbols to the ROP stages prevents misinterpretation and sketchy, illegible hand drawings.

CONCLUSIONS

The digital documentation of pathological changes of ROP provides an easy, economic and standardised method to record retinal findings.