The Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity study: better outcomes, changing strategy.

The Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ETROP) study, published in December 2003, has demonstrated that earlier treatment of selected cases of prethreshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at high risk to progress to retinal detachments gives better overall ROP outcomes than treatment at threshold severity of the disease.1,2 It is another important step forward in controlling this devastating disorder; however, to reap these gains, our ophthalmologists and nurseries must refocus on the timely detection and treatment of advancing ROP. In the ETROP trial, 60% … Reprint requests to (D.L.P.) Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Box 651, Pediatrics, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642. E-mail: dale_phelps{at}urmc.rochester.edu