gms | German Medical Science

102. Jahrestagung der DOG

Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft e. V.

23. bis 26.09.2004, Berlin

Acute retinopathy of prematurity (ROP): present status of the Regensburg multicenter telemedicine project

Meeting Abstract

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  • corresponding author H. Elflein - Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismology and Ophthalmic Genetics University of Regensburg, Regensburg
  • B. Lorenz - Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismology and Ophthalmic Genetics University of Regensburg, Regensburg

Evidenzbasierte Medizin - Anspruch und Wirklichkeit. 102. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft. Berlin, 23.-26.09.2004. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2004. Doc04dogFR.06.07

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dog2004/04dog211.shtml

Published: September 22, 2004

© 2004 Elflein et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.


Outline

Text

Objective

We report on our 3 years experience with digital wide-field cameras (RetCam 120) in 5 Bavarian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) connected to the Reading Center at the University of Regensburg.

Methods

In January 2001, digital wide-field cameras were installed in the NICUs of Bayreuth, Deggendorf, Passau, Regensburg and Weiden. Retinal images were taken by the local ophthalmologists and sent anonymized (via ISDN), as well as the pediatric data (via email or fax) to the Reading Center for evaluation.

Results

During 3 years, 525 premature infants at risk (according to national guidelines) were imaged with the new screening method. ROP was found in 125 infants, 30 eyes of 15 babies needed treatment, which was performed onsite or at the Reading Center. Comparing digital imaging and binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy as the gold standard in 78 infants from the NICU in Regensburg the sensitivity to detect treatment-requiring stages was 100% (10 eyes / 5 infants).

Conclusions

Even after a longer duration of three years all treatment requiring ROP stages have been detected. An expansion of the project is planned.

Support

Bayerische Landesstiftung, Bayerische Sparkassenstiftung, DFG LO 457/4-1,2, The portable diode laser was generously given by IrisMedical Inc., Mountain View, Ca and the Bayerische Sparkassenstiftung.