Background and purpose: To elucidate the experience of pediatric ophthalmologists across the United States who care for infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Methods: Seven hundred and ten surveys were mailed to U.S. members of the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and 283 (40%) of 710 surveys were completed. Surveys were reviewed and statistical analysis was completed by the authors.
Results: There was no uniformity of contract compensation or method for determining the value of ROP care. Almost half of the respondents felt they would generate more income if they did not perform ROP screening. Eighty percent of respondents that were happy with their ROP compensation had a contract for those services. One third of respondents had their malpractice insurance provided by the hospital. Retina specialists performed 40% of inpatient ROP screening and 53% of treatment. Most respondents continued to care for infants with ROP once discharged.
Conclusions: In the United States, there is no uniform experience regarding compensation for ROP care, or a methodology for determining the value of services and coverage of liability insurance. These findings are consistent with previous studies. Lack of uniform compensation and high liability pose a threat to the future of ROP care.
Keywords: retinopathy of prematurity (ROP); retinopathy of prematurity malpractice; retinopathy of prematurity screening.