Risk factors of persistent peripheral avascular retina in retinopathy of prematurity

This study was designed with the aim of investigating the risk factors of persistent peripheral avascular retina (PAR). This was a retrospective case control study that included 55 eyes of 55 patients. Case group consisted of 29 eyes of 29 patients with retinopathy of prematurity who had persistent avascular retina. Control group consisted of 26 eyes of 26 patients who had retinopathy of prematurity without PAR. Risk factors of persistent peripheral avascular retina were investigated. According to the multivariable logistic regression analysis, only the stage of retinopathy of prematurity and anti-VEGFs showed statistically significant associations and other risk factors including Sepsis, blood transfusion, intravitreal anti Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGFs), hypoxia, anemia, low gestational age, low birth weight, long NICU admission duration and long O2 supplement duration were not independent predictors in the multivariate analysis. However, no correlation of gender, zone and stage of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and multiple births with PAR was detected. According to the multivariable logistic regression analysis, only the stage of retinopathy of prematurity and anti-VEGFs showed statistically significant associations with PAR.