Telemedicine retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening
Reviewed by Ivan Yip

The Auckland Regional Telemedicine ROP network utilises wide-field digital imaging for ROP screening. Results are from 2006-2015; 1181 infants were screened over three neonatal intensive care units; 83 infants with ROP were identified. Screening rates increased over the 10 years yet treatment rates decreased. Screening was carried out by a trained nurse specialist with assistance from a medical photographer using either a RETCAM 3 or RetCam Shuttle. Telemedicine in ROP and has been validated by studies in America and India. This report adds further weight that it is a system that is safe. New Zealand, similar to the United Kingdom, does not have enough ophthalmologists and this is particularly acute in paediatric ophthalmology. Any areas which may struggle to meet ROP screening demand may consider implementation of such a system.

Auckland regional telemedicine retinopathy of prematurity screening network: a 10-year review.
Simkin SK, Misra SL, Han JV, et al.
CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
2019;47(9):1122-30.