Comparative Analysis of Classical and Aggressive Retinopathy of Prematurity: A One-Year Prospective Study at a Tertiary Ophthalmic Centre in North India

This one-year prospective cross-sectional study aimed to analyse and compare the demographic characteristics, incidence, and risk factors associated with classical retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and aggressive ROP (AROP) in neonates. Conducted at a tertiary ophthalmic centre in North India, the study included 343 neonates with birth weights ≤ 2000 grams and gestational ages ≤ 35 weeks. The neonates diagnosed with ROP were divided into two groups: classical ROP (Group A) and AROP (Group B). Of the 343 neonates screened, 165 developed ROP, resulting in an overall incidence of 48.10%. Classical ROP accounted for 44.02% (151 cases) and AROP for 4.08% (14 cases). Pre-plus and plus disease incidence among eyes with ROP were 10% and 5.15%, respectively. Zone 2 disease was observed in 98.78% of eyes, and Zone 1 in 1.21% of eyes. There were 203 eyes with stage I, 100 with stage II, and 25 with stage III disease. Early gestational age (p=0.045) and low birth weight (p=0.00) were signicantly associated with disease severity. Signicant maternal and neonatal risk factors included gestational diabetes (p=0.0005), placental bleeding (p=0.0026), respiratory distress syndrome (p=0.0009), and surfactant administration (p=0.00). The duration of oxygen supplementation was an independent risk factor (p=0.00). Increasing awareness about ROP, regulated oxygen administration, timely screening, and early treatment of high-risk infants can lead to favourable structural and functional outcomes.