Retinal Microanatomy in Retinopathy of Prematurity (BabySTEPS2)

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disorder of development of the neural retina and its vasculature that can impact vision in vulnerable preterm neonates for a lifetime. This study tests high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology compared to conventional color photographs at the bedside of very preterm infants in the intensive care nursery, to characterize previously unseen abnormalities that can predict a need for referral for ROP treatment, or poor visual or neurological development later in life, up to pre-school age. Our long-term goal is to help improve preterm infant health and vision via objective bedside imaging and analysis that characterizes early critical indicators of ROP, and poor visual function and neurological development, which will rapidly translate to better early intervention and improved future care.