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Retinopathy of Prematurity
Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Retinopathy of Prematurityis not the name you expected.
Synonyms
- ROP
- Retrolental Fibroplasia (obsolete)
Disorder Subdivisions
- None
General Discussion
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially blinding disease affecting the retinas in premature infants. The retinas are the light-sensitive linings of the insides of the eyes. In infants born prematurely, the blood vessels that supply the retinas are not yet completely developed. Although blood vessel growth continues after birth, these vessels may develop in an abnormal, disorganized pattern, known as ROP. In some affected infants, the changes associated with ROP spontaneously subside. However, in others, ROP may lead to bleeding, scarring of the retina, retinal detachment and visual loss. Even in cases in which ROP changes cease or regress spontaneously, affected children may have an increased risk of certain eye (ocular) abnormalities, including nearsightedness, misalignment of the eyes (strabismus), and/or future retinal detachment. The two major risk factors for ROP are a low birth weight and premature delivery.
Resources
National Association for Visually Handicapped
22 West 21st Street
New York
NY
10010
USA
Tel: (212)889-3141
Fax: (212)727-2931
staff@navh.org
http://www.navh.org
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains
NY
10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
800: (888)663-4637
Askus@marchofdimes.com
http://www.marchofdimes.com
The Arc (a national organization on mental retardation)
1010 Wayne Ave
Suite 650
Silver Spring
MD
20910
Tel: (301)565-3842
Fax: (301)565-3843
800: (800)433-5255
TDD: (817)277-0553
info@thearc.org
http://www.thearc.org/
Schepens Eye Research Institute
20 Staniford Street
Boston
MA
02114-2500
Tel: (617)912-0100
Fax: (617)912-0101
geninfo@vision.eri.harvard.edu
http://www.theschepens.org/
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI)
P.O. Box 317
Watertown
MA
02472
Tel: (617)972-7441
Fax: (617)972-7444
800: (800)562-6265
napvi@perkins.org
http://www.napvi.org
NIH/National Eye Institute
Building 31 Rm 6A32
31 Center Dr MSC 2510
Bethesda
MD
20892-2510
United States
Tel: (301)496-5248
Fax: (301)402-1065
2020@nei.nih.gov
http://www.nei.nih.gov/
ROPARD:The Association for Retinopathy of Prematurity and Related Diseases
P.O.Box 250425
Franklin
MI
48025
Tel: (248)549-2671
Fax: (248)788-4589
800: (800)788-2020
ropard@yahoo.com
http://www.ropard.org
MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay
WI
54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
800: (877)336-5333
mums@netnet.net
http://www.netnet.net/mums/
Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon St.
Watertown
MA
02472
Tel: (617)924-3434
Fax: (617)926-2027
Info@Perkins.org
http://www.Perkins.org
For a Complete Report:
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 4/14/2008
Copyright 1986, 1988, 2001, 2003, 2008 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders
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