Preferences and Trends in Practices Caring Premature Infants for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP): A Web-based Survey

Objectives: To study preferences in treatment, follow-up and conclusion of examination in infants treated with and without bevacizumab (IVB) and/or laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods: A 22 question web survey was administered to physicians to understand practice patterns for treatment of type1 ROP, determine timeframe of conclusion of examinations with and without IVB/laser, and to approximate incidence of ROP recurrence post-treatment.Results: The survey revealed that 73% pediatric ophthalmologists reported not personally performing injections and 54.1% reported not performing laser. In infants with persistent avascular retina without pre-threshold disease, 54.2% continued examination > 50 weeks PMA, 23.3% discontinued at 50 weeks PMA, 3.2% preferred prophylactic laser and 5.1% fluorescein angiography and laser prior to concluding exams. 46.3% of physicians preferred IVB as primary monotherapy, 37.3% laser, and 16.4% both IVB and laser in type 1 ROP. Of those who preferred IVB, 20.4% concluded examination at ? 55 weeks PMA, whereas 79.6% continued evaluation >55 weeks PMA (60 to ? 80 weeks). Of those who preferred both IVB and laser, 50.6% concluded examination at ? 50 weeks PMA, whereas 49.4% continued > 50 weeks (60 to ? 80 weeks). 21.1 % of respondents reported recurrence with IVB and 8.8% with dual therapyConclusions: Treatment preferences and conclusion of examination in ROP varies considerably without and with treatment. Though a longer follow-up is recommended with IVB, this survey reveals extended examinations beyond 50 weeks PMA in infants with persistent avascular retina requiring no treatment and in the laser treated subgroup. The survey highlights low rates of performing treatments personally by pediatric ophthalmologists, and distinctlyvariable practice patterns in ROP care