Definition: disease of the retina with abnormal vessel proliferations that affects preterm infants
Pathophysiology: hypoxic in utero environment → preterm birth → elevated and fluctuating partial pressures of oxygen (especially if supplemental oxygen is given for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome) → ↓ VEGF → arrest of normal angiogenesis → maturation and hypoxia of the avascular retina → ↑ VEGF → retinal neovascularization and possibly pathological extraretinal neovascularization → hemorrhages, formation of fibrovascular membranes, and, in severe cases, retinal detachment
