Abnormal blood vessel development in the retina of the eye in a premature infant
Blood vessels of the retina begin to develop 3 months after conception, complete development at the time of normal birth
Eye development can be disrupted in premature infants, where the vessels may stop growing or grow abnormally from the retina into the normally clear gel that fills the back of the eye
These vessels are fragile and can leak, causing bleeding in the eye
History / PE:
Abnormal eye movements
Crossed eyes
Severe nearsightedness
White-looking pupils (leukocoria)
Complications:
Severe nearsightedness and blindness
Notes:
Stage I: There is mildly abnormal blood vessel growth
Stage II: Blood vessel growth is moderately abnormal
Stage III: Blood vessel growth is severely abnormal
Stage IV: Blood vessel growth is severely abnormal and there is a partially detached retina
Stage V: There is a total retinal detachment
“Plus disease”
The dilation and twisting of the blood vessels matches or exceeds a standard photograph
