[Retinopathy of prematurity screening and follow-up with Retcam120: expertise of a team of neonatologists concerning 145 patients].

OBJECTIVES: The high incidence of retinopathy in very premature infants requires strict evaluation and follow-up in neonatal intensive care. The strict organization required in each center, under the responsibility of ophthalmologists, is sometimes puzzling. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that the introduction of the Retcam allows the neonatologist under the control of ophthalmologist to diagnose retinopathy of prematurity then preventing sequelae, by comparison of pictures interpretations between neonatologists and ophthalmologists.

METHODS: The Retcam gives a 120 degrees picture of the retina which is captured digitally. Then, the interpretation of the neonatologist can be reviewed by the ophthalmologist. We screened premature babies less than 32 weeks of gestation and less than 1500 g, during 1 year, including learning experience. We compared pictures interpretation by neonatologists and ophthalmologists of Retcam recordings.

RESULTS: One hundred and forty-five patients were included. Eight cases of retinopathy were diagnosed with an exact correlation : 3 grade III in zone 2 form plus disease, 1 stage III zone 2 unilateral, 1 stage II in zone 3, 2 stage II en zone 2, 1 grade I zone 3 on at least 5 h contiguous. We had neither false positive, nor false negative. Five infants were treated without significant sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS: Retcam 120 allows an easy diagnosis and follow-up for the retinopathy of prematurity by the neonatologist. We advocate to spread Retcam to the wards where the screening of retinopathy is difficult for the ophthalmology department. As every case requiring therapy is diagnosed, prevention of severe visual handicap is completed. The cost of this apparatus is equivalent to the cost of the care for a congenital blindness.