Retinopathy of prematurity in southern Finland.

138 premature infants born 1989-1991 have been examined by the ophthalmologist in Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki. The mean gestational age was 27.3 weeks and the mean birth weight 986 grams. Twenty-four cases of ROP were found. Seven of them got cryocoagulation treatment in both eyes for ROP 3 with plus disease. Only one child became blind. The risk to get ROP was 17.4% in the whole material and was highest among the most immature infants. The cryocoagulation treatment appeared an effective therapy to prevent blindness.