Retinopathy of Prematurity Epidemiology Forecast 2026-2035

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative retinal disorder affecting premature infants and remains a significant cause of childhood visual impairment globally. As per Mara Nike Blazon et al., 2024, the pooled prevalence of ROP is 31.9 % worldwide, with severe ROP at 7.5 % among premature babies, underscoring its burden in neonatal care settings. According to the retinopathy of prematurity epidemiology forecast, incident cases are increasing in major markets due to higher survival of low-birth-weight infants and evolving neonatal practices.

Retinopathy of Prematurity Epidemiology Forecast Report Coverage

The analyst's “Retinopathy of Prematurity Epidemiology Forecast Report 2026-2035” offers comprehensive information on the prevalence and demographics of retinopathy of prematurity. It projects the future incidence and prevalence rates of retinopathy of prematurity cases across various populations. The study covers age, gender, and type as major determinants of the retinopathy of prematurity population. The report highlights patterns in the prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity over time and projects future trends based on multiple variables.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of the disease, as well as historical and projected data on the epidemiology of retinopathy of prematurity in the 8 major markets.

Regions Covered

• The United States
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• The United Kingdom
• Japan
• India

Retinopathy of Prematurity Understanding: Disease Overview

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vision-threatening retinal vascular disorder that primarily affects premature infants with low birth weight. It occurs due to incomplete retinal vascular development at birth, followed by abnormal blood vessel proliferation triggered by fluctuations in oxygen levels. These fragile vessels may leak, bleed, or cause retinal detachment, potentially leading to blindness. ROP is classified into five stages based on severity, ranging from mild peripheral vessel abnormalities (Stage 1) to total retinal detachment (Stage 5). The disease is further categorized into Type 1 (treatment-requiring) and Type 2 (closely monitored) ROP.

Retinopathy of Prematurity Epidemiology Perspective

The retinopathy of prematurity epidemiology division offers information on the patient pool from history to the present as well as the projected trend for each of the 8 major markets. The analyst provides both current and predicted trends for the retinopathy of prematurity epidemiology scenario by examining a wide range of studies. Additionally, the report covers the diagnosed patient pool for retinopathy of prematurity and their trends. The data is broken down into specific categories, such as total prevalent cases in males and females, and total diagnosed cases across different age groups and patient pools.

• According to Sufang Wang et al., 2024, and the Global Burden of Diseases 2019, approximately 2,169,800 prevalent cases of blindness and vision loss due to retinopathy of prematurity were reported globally in 2019, with an age-standardized prevalence of 86.4 per 100,000 population.
• As per Global Burden of Diseases 2019, the burden is concentrated in individuals younger than 20 years, with 253,900 years lived with disability reported in 2019, and an increasing age-standardized point prevalence trend (average annual percentage change 0.08).
• According to Mariza Fevereiro-Martins et al., 2023, retinopathy of prematurity affects 30-50% of very low birth weight preterm infants, and 25-30% of affected infants develop severe ocular complications, including blindness, highlighting its significant incidence among premature neonates.
• According to Robert W. Arnold et al., 2026, males constituted 55% of treated cases in a meta-analysis of 31,026 infants, with significantly higher screening and treatment numbers; however, treatment proportions were similar between sexes, indicating no intrinsic gender-based risk difference.
• As per Sufang Wang et al., 2024, retinopathy of prematurity contributes to 6-18% of infant blindness globally, with increasing trends in moderate and severe vision loss, while blindness rates show a gradual decline due to improved neonatal care and screening practices.

Country-wise Retinopathy of Prematurity Epidemiology

The retinopathy of prematurity epidemiology data and findings for the United States, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, and India are also provided in the epidemiology section.

Epidemiological patterns of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) across the covered regions reflect differences in screening coverage and neonatal care. According to Osman Kizilay et al., 2025, treatment-requiring ROP incidence was 4% in the United Kingdom and 2.6% in France, with diagnosis rates increasing from 19.3% to 21.4% following guideline updates. According to T. Lekha et al., 2024, ROP incidence in India ranges from 38% to 47%, with 23% treatment-requiring ROP among extremely low birth weight infants. According to Tshilidzi Van der Lecq et al., 2026, 57% of diagnosed infants did not complete screening, potentially underestimating prevalence.

Retinopathy of Prematurity: Treatment Overview

The treatment of retinopathy of prematurity focuses on halting abnormal retinal neovascularization and preventing retinal detachment. Laser photocoagulation is the standard therapy, targeting the avascular peripheral retina to reduce disease progression. Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections, such as bevacizumab or ranibizumab, are increasingly used, particularly in aggressive posterior ROP. In advanced cases with retinal detachment, surgical interventions including scleral buckling or vitrectomy may be required. Early screening, timely diagnosis, and appropriate intervention significantly improve visual outcomes and reduce the risk of permanent vision impairment.

Key Questions Answered

• What are the key findings of retinopathy of prematurity epidemiology in the 8 major markets?
• What will be the total number of patients with retinopathy of prematurity across the 8 major markets during the forecast period?
• What was the country-wise retinopathy of prematurity epidemiology scenario in the 8 major markets in the historical period?
• Which country will have the highest number of retinopathy of prematurity patients during the forecast period of 2026-2035?
• Which key factors would influence the shift in the patient population of retinopathy of prematurity during the forecast period of 2026-2035?
• What are the currently available treatments for retinopathy of prematurity?
• What are the disease risks, signs, symptoms, and unmet needs of retinopathy of prematurity?

Scope of the Retinopathy of Prematurity Epidemiology Report

• The report covers a detailed analysis of signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment options, and classification/types of retinopathy of prematurity based on several factors.
• Retinopathy of Prematurity Epidemiology Forecast Report covers data for the eight major markets (the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, and India).
• The retinopathy of prematurity report helps to identify the patient population, and the unmet needs are highlighted along with an assessment of the disease's risk and burden.