Background:

Retinopathy of Prematurity particularly its severe form is emerging as a leading cause of childhood blindness in India and affects preterm low birth weight infants. Socioeconomic class of the parents can play an important role in the health outcome of a child.

Purpose:

This study was conducted to find out association between socioeconomic class of parents and occurrence of severe ROP.

Methods:

 This case control study was conducted in a tertiary eye care center in western India in 2013 and subjects were recruited from the ROP screening program of the hospital. Cases were defined as preterm low birth weight infants with diagnosis of ‘Severe ROP’ and remaining infants served as controls. Socioeconomic data based on Kuppuswamy scale were collected of each parent. Statistical analysis including multiple logistic regression was performed.

Results:

Total 44 cases and 104 controls could be enrolled for the study. There was no statistically significant association between any of the socioeconomic class and severe ROP (P– 0.4).

Conclusion:

Socioeconomic status of the parents is not associated with severe ROP in preterm low birth weight infants.