SPE 516 LA 2b Stephen Atwood, Amy Hitchcock, Niccole Hunter and Elizabeth Watt

Retina – abnormal blood vessels can form and can leak causing scaring or leak causing detachment of the retina. Stages: Stage 1 - There is mildly abnormal blood vessel growth Stage 2 - Blood vessel growth is moderately abnormal. Stage 3 - Blood vessel growth is severely abnormal. Stage 4 - Blood vessel growth is severely abnormal and there is a partially detached retina. Stage 5 - Total retinal detachment. Note: Stages 1 and 2 do not result in blindness; however they can progress to the more severe stages. Part of the visual system affected

ROP is common in children weighing one to three pounds and / or born before 30 weeks gestation. This can cause the blood vessels to not be properly formed and are not ready to supply blood to the retina. The blood vessels may also leak causing scaring or, in severe cases, detachment of the retina. ROP is a congenital and progressive condition. What is ROP?

Possible affects of ROP on the patients vision include: Abnormal eye movements Strabismus (Crossed eyes or turning out) Severe nearsightedness (myopia) White looking pupils (leukleukocoria) Blindness Affects of the condition of the visual system.

Treatments: Peripheral retinal ablation – laser which creates scars that seal the borders of the retina helping prevent detachment. Cryotherapy (freezing) – treatment reduces but does not eliminate the progression of ROP progressing to blindness. (Experimental) Doctors are experimenting with oxygen levels to prevent progression of ROP. (Hyperbaric chambers) Surgeries: Scleral Buckle – involves attaching a silicone band around the eyeball to reduce the pulling on the retina. Vitrectomy – involves making several small incisions to remove the vitreous. The vitreous is replaced with a saline solution to maintain shape and pressure of the eye. Medications (experimental): Bevacizumab was effective and well tolerated in some cases of ROP (mostly stage 3). Treatments, Medications, Surgeries and Experimental Treatments

School: Visual stimulation techniques Proper toy selection Proper contrast Alternate learning methods Parental narration Control of light and glare Specialist may be hired to accommodate low vision Educational needs must be accessed Technology – CCTV Braille Cane skills Functional Implications

Adults (Job environment): CCTV Bifocals Magnifiers Electronic scanners / reading technologies Contact lenses Braille Cane skills (provided by an Orientation and Mobility Specialist) Functional Implications

Premature infant weighing 1 pound and 14 ounces Has stage 2 ROP Vision 20/200 uncorrected, vision 20/40 corrected Need accommodations in elementary school Case Study

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