Ophthalmological follow-up of premature children in St. Petersburg

Premature newborns have a high risk of developing visual impairments. This study presents the experience of an organization dispensary ophthalmological observation as a stage of providing medical care to premature children in St. Petersburg and the prospects for its development.

AIM: To analyze the effectiveness of the organizational model of dispensary ophthalmological observation of premature children in St. Petersburg for 2020–2022.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Reporting forms of the activities of interdistrict ophthalmological cabinet and reporting forms of medical and social expertise of Rosstat No. 7D were used.

RESULTS: In 2010, a system of specialized ophthalmological care for premature infants at the hospital stage was organized in St. Petersburg (screening and laser treatment of active ROP using telemedicine technologies; surgical treatment of late disease stages). In 2018, for the subsequent dispensary observation of premature children aged up to 3 years, six inter-district ophthalmological cabinets of follow-up were organized. A developed routing scheme for children at risk and with active and cicatricial ROP in St. Petersburg and preliminary results of ROP incidence were presented.

CONCLUSION: The activities of specialized inter-district follow-up cabinets primarily ensure continuity between hospital and outpatient services in the dynamic monitoring of children at risk and children with active ROP. In addition, professional competencies allow ophthalmologists to avoid mistakes in diagnosing the stage, monitoring the ROP course, and promptly referring patients for emergency treatment (laser or anti-VEGF therapy).