Pathogenesis of Retinopathy of Prematurity: Does Inflammation Play a Role?

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disorder of retinal–blood vessel development that is potentially blinding. ROP is the number one cause of blindness in infancy and the second leading cause of childhood blindness in the Unites States. The exact etiology is not completely understood and many factors appear to contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of the disease. These factors may include prematurity, low birth weight, genetic predisposition, oxygen, hypoxia, ischemia, insulin-like growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and sepsis. This article reviews the process of retinal development, the pathogenesis of ROP and how oxidative stress, infection and inflammation may contribute this pathogenesis.