Which population is at risk of retinopathy of prematurity with prolonged high FiO2?

Which population is at risk of retinopathy of prematurity with prolonged high FiO2?

• A. Preterm neonates
• B. Healthy adults
• C. Term infants
• D. Elderly patients

Answer: (A)

The risk is in preterm neonates because their retinas are not fully vascularized at birth. Exposing these fragile developing eyes to prolonged high oxygen levels (high FiO2) can damage the growing retinal vessels, causing vaso-obliteration and creating avascular areas. When oxygen levels are later reduced, those areas become hypoxic and trigger a surge of abnormal, friable blood vessel growth (neovascularization). This abnormal vasculature can leak or detach the retina, leading to vision problems or blindness. Term infants, healthy adults, and elderly patients don’t have the same immature retinal vasculature, so they’re not at the same risk for retinopathy of prematurity from high FiO2. The key idea is that prematurity with sustained high oxygen exposure disrupts normal retinal vessel development.

The risk is in preterm neonates because their retinas are not fully vascularized at birth. Exposing these fragile developing eyes to prolonged high oxygen levels (high FiO2) can damage the growing retinal vessels, causing vaso-obliteration and creating avascular areas. When oxygen levels are later reduced, those areas become hypoxic and trigger a surge of abnormal, friable blood vessel growth (neovascularization). This abnormal vasculature can leak or detach the retina, leading to vision problems or blindness. Term infants, healthy adults, and elderly patients don’t have the same immature retinal vasculature, so they’re not at the same risk for retinopathy of prematurity from high FiO2. The key idea is that prematurity with sustained high oxygen exposure disrupts normal retinal vessel development.