Retinopathy of prematurity: perspective for the nineties.

In any discussion of the eye problems of the premature retinopathy of prematurity is today the major problem. Four areas where progress is needed suggest themselves. Further work needs to be done on the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ICROP), particularly with regard to Zone 2 disease where 75% of the disease is concentrated. Treatment of Zone 1 disease is the next important area in terms of its outcome and the critical question of whether to use cryotherapy or laser. The third area which needs open discussion is the problem of screening prematures in excess of 1250 g birth weight and 32 weeks gestational age. In the United States, this constitutes hundreds of thousands of infants and is well beyond the capabilities of the ophthalmic community interested and knowledgeable in the techniques of examining these premature eyes. Finally, the other important area is the striking difference between the infant of today and the infant of the previous 'epidemic' of the forties and fifties.