Current management of retinopathy of prematurity in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Purpose: To survey current oxygen management, screening criteria, and methods for treating retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: An online survey was sent to ophthalmologists and neonatologists practicing in sub-Saharan Africa.

Results: Ophthalmologists and neonatologists from 15 of 49 countries (31%) in sub-Saharan Africa responded. Neonatologists reported treating a median of 15 infants with supplemental oxygen per week but only had a median of 3.5 oxygen-measuring devices and a median of zero oxygen blenders in their units. Ophthalmologists reported screening a median of 5 infants per week for ROP and treating 2 infants each month for ROP. Most ophthalmologists (24/27 [89%]) had access to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs to treat ROP, but only 13 of 27 (48%) had access to a laser.

Conclusions: Survey results reveal an urgent need for additional oxygen- management equipment in hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa.

FIG 1.

Map of sub-Saharan Africa showing the countries that had at least one neonatologist or ophthalmologist complete our survey.

FIG 2.

Map of sub-Saharan Africa showing the location of the clinical sites (circle) that responded to our survey. The countries in which the clinical sites are located that responded to our survey are also shaded.