Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the quantitative differences between severe stage 3 and stage 4A retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) by evaluating the pre-treatment fundus photographs. METHODS: Thirty-three eyes with clinical diagnosed as severe stage 3 were classified as severe stage 3 group. Twenty-two eyes with retinal detachment without foveal involvement were classified as stage 4A group. Quantitative measurements were performed on pre-treatment 130 degree fundus photographs. RESULTS: In the severe Stage 3 group, dense fibrous membranes, vertical tractional bands, and dragging were detected in 18 eyes (55%), in 5 eyes (15%), and in none of the eyes, respectively. In the stage 4A group, dense fibrous membranes, vertical tractional bands, and dragging were detected in 21 eyes (96%), in 22(100%) eyes, and in 17 eyes (77%), respectively. Dragging and vertical tractional bands were higher in the Stage 4A group than in the severe stage 3 group (p = 0.000). Disc-to-fovea distance, the width of the fibrous membranes, the total area of the fibrous membranes, total retinoschisis, and detachment areas were significantly higher in the stage 4A group than in the severe stage 3 group (respectively, p = 0.000,p = 0.006, p = 0.024,p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Fibrous membranes and tractional bands can be detected in severe stage 3 ROP, but the width and the total area of the fibrous membranes and total retinoschisis-detachment area were found to be higher in stage 4A eyes. The dragging of the posterior pole can be an important diagnostic indicator for the diagnosis of stage 4A. Therefore this finding may be a simple auxiliary finding for diagnosis and prognosis of stage 4A ROP.