Introduction: Advances in neonatology and ventilator systems, results in exposure of preterm and low birth weight babies to high oxygen concentration there by leading to initiating ROP. This study was done to identify the incidence, risk factors, for the ROP formation in Neonatology ICU at a tertiary care hospital in South India. Methods: Pre term babies with gestational age less than 32 weeks and wright less than 1750 gm were included in the study. Babies were followed up till complete vascularization of retina. Risk factors and details of ROP were recorded in the proforma. Results: Seventy two babies were thus examined. The incidence of ROP is 8.33% in the study group and it peaks at 38.46% in babies ≤ 30 weeks gestation and/or ≤ 1250 gm birth weight. RDS, Apnea, Sepsis, oxygen administration, ventilation, hyperoxia and hypoxia are independent risk factors significantly associated with ROP (p<0.05). Conclusion: Ongoing ROP screening programme is recommended to all babies ≤ 32 weeks gestation age and/or ≤ 1750 gm birth weight at 4 weeks after birth by indirect ophthalmoscopy. Screening of babies ≤ 30 weeks gestation and /or ≤ 1250 gm birth weight would be more cost effective. It would detect the more severe stages of ROP easily enough to permit treatment, reduce unnecessary examinations and avoid wastage of time and manpower. Screening should be intensified in the presence of riskfactors.

Keywords: ROP; Pre-Mature Baby; Hyperbaric Oxygen; Cryotherapy.