i-ROP screening detects clinically significant disease

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The i-ROP system, a computer-based image analysis system, reliably and accurately detected clinically significant retinopathy of prematurity, according to a poster presented at the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus meeting.

“Retinopathy of prematurity diagnosis can be very variable among experts, and this can greatly influence treatment decisions,” Sapna Tibrewal, MD, and colleagues at Casey Eye Institute, Oregon, wrote. “CBIA tools have the potential to assist ophthalmologists in making more accurate and consistent diagnoses.”

Using a database of 195 images graded as normal, pre-plus disease or plus disease by six experts, the i-ROP system detected pre-plus or plus disease with a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 72%, the authors said. Sensitivity for detecting early treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ETROP) type 1 disease was 100%, and the i-ROP system detected ETROP type 2 disease in 93% of cases (47 images).

“These systems could also have a significant impact in ROP telemedicine programs worldwide by optimizing the screening capacity of limited human resources and improving access to care,” the authors wrote. – by Patricia Nale, ELS

Reference:

Tibrewal S, et al. Evaluation of computer-based image analysis for retinopathy of prematurity screening. Poster 24 presented at: American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus annual meeting; April 2-6, 2017; Nashville, Tenn.

Disclosures: Study funding was received from the National Institutes of Health and through an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness. Robison V. Chan, MD, reports he is a paid consultant for Visunex Medical Systems. Michael F. Chiang, MD, reports he is a paid consultant to Novartis and an unpaid member of the scientific advisory board for Clarity Medical Systems. Tibrewal and the remaining authors report no relevant financial disclosures.