London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) affects babies born preterm, before 37 weeks of gestation. Over 15 million babies worldwide are born prematurely each year, and it’s estimated over 20,000 of them will become blind from ROP.

On this course, you will learn how a practical team approach towards neonatal care and ROP screening, treatment and follow-up can help prevent blindness in preterm babies. You will also look at how the risk of ROP and the level of neonatal care can differ between higher and lower income regions of the world.

What topics will you cover?

• Epidemiology and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) Classification of ROP
• Public health approach for prevention of visual impairment from ROP
• Reducing risk factors for ROP through quality of care within neonatal units
• Team approach in the clinical care setting to ensure early detection and timely management
• Implementing practical support and involving parents to ensure continued care and long term follow up

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

• Describe the classification, epidemiology and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
• Assess and improve control strategies to prevent exposures to risk factors for ROP at birth and in the neonatal unit.
• Evaluate the application of screening for prevention and early detection of ROP and models of service provision.
• Explain the indications, methods of treatment and follow up for ROP.
• Identify the importance of a team approach within the clinical care setting and developing continuous quality improvement strategies.
• Reflect upon the importance of establishing clear documentation and communications for ROP management decisions with the neonatal and ophthalmic teams and with parents.
• Evaluate and modify the protocols and models for involving parents in ROP management and long-term follow-up.

Who is the course for?

This course is for healthcare professionals such as obstetric and neonatal nurses, neonatologists, paediatricians, ophthalmologists and clinical officers.

On demand

This course is available on demand, and can be accessed anytime. This means you can take the course at your own pace and engage with other learners using the comments and discussion section.

CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles.

Other relevant courses

• Public Health for Eye Care (Master's degree)
• Eliminating Trachoma (free online course)
• Global Blindness: Planning and Managing Eye Care Services (free online course)
• Diabetic Eye Disease: Strengthening Services (free online course)

Course photo credit: Image © The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust / Poulomi Basu