This study aimed to determine the influence of low-dose oxygen (FiO₂ <25%) therapy through nasal cannulae on the progress and prognosis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) as well as methods of preventing ROP.

Our subjects comprised premature infants (gestation period <37 weeks; birth weight <1,750 g) born in Daegu Fatima Hospital between February 1,2001 and January 31,2006. We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the medical records of 273 patients who were available for eye examination and follow up over 6 months.

The factors maximally influencing the occurrence of ROP were low gestation age and low birth weight. We observed that the incidence of ROP increased with the increasing duration of low-dose oxygen therapy. ROP onset was delayed during ongoing oxygen therapy; however, rapid progression of ROP occurred after the discontinuation of oxygen therapy among premature infants up to the prethreshold stage.

To prevent of occurrence of severe ROP and its rapid progression, the period of low-dose oxygen therapy needs to be shortened. Moreover, frequent eye examinations should be performed after the discontinuation of oxygen therapy.