What are the different stages of ROP?
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) has been divided into five stages. Stages 1 and 2 customarily get better on their own. Some eyes, however, go on to Stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity. Stage 3 ROP exists when these disturbing new blood vessels grow out from the ridge in the retina toward the center of the eye. If this blood vessel growth becomes severe and is accompanied by “plus” disease (enlarged and twisting blood vessels in the back part of the eye), the child may reach the point where treatment of the peripheral retina with laser (or rarely freezing) treatment is performed. When stage 4 or 5 ROP is reached, the retina is detached.
