The essential feature is prematurity. The disease is bilateral, and the eyes are small (microphthalmia). There are 3 clinical phases:
ACTIVE - arteriorlar narrowing (spasm of vessels from oxygen) after O2 is cutoff => vessels dilate and become tortuous (24-48 hrs) grow into vitreous
REGRESSIVE - (85%-90%) spontaneous regression, even a detachment may heal
CICATRICAL - a dense membrane forms, the lens is always clear, retinal detachment, growth of the eye is inhibited => microphthalmia
KEY FEATURES: premature, bilateral, small eye |
