An introduction to the main course objectives and a chance to think about how you learn. Introduce yourself and meet fellow learners for the first time.

In this activity, we first learn the definition of prematurity. We then move on to learn about retinopathy of prematurity and how the various stages and types of this complication of preterm birth are classified.

A 'third epidemic' of ROP is affecting premature babies mainly in low- and middle-income countries with long-term effects on the children and their carers and families.

Preventing blindness from retinopathy of prematurity requires well coordinated and multidisciplinary health care teams. Image: Andrea Zin CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Build your knowledge week by week on practical approaches healthcare teams can use to improve quality of care for premature babies, reduce the risk of ROP and improve outcomes. Image: Dino Abatzidis CC-BY-NC-SA 2.0

Preventing premature birth is a key strategy to reduce the number of new cases of ROP.

Managing the first hour of preterm life is crucial for the long term outcomes of preterm babies and reducing their risk of developing ROP.

Providing high quality standard care interventions in the NICU continues to improve preterm babies' health outcomes, including reducing their risk of ROP. Image Universidad de Guadalajara CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Learn how healthcare teams can apply the Plan, Do, Study, Act cycles to identify whether a quality improvement intervention can work in a particular setting.

Active, timely screening is crucial to detect and manage ROP at an early stage after a baby is born prematurely. Image: Rajesh Pandey CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

There are multiple 'moving parts' in ROP screening and treatment services which must all be brought together and managed to prevent blindness in preterm babies. Image: PHFI CC BY-NC-2.0

The evidence base on preferred ROP treatment approaches has changed over the years, from cryotherapy to laser treatment and anti-VEGF medication.

Evaluate a real world application of the Plan, Do, Study, Act cycles to improve oxygen saturation monitoring in the NICU.

Children born preterm must be followed up over the long term to identify and address any development delays or complications which are affecting their vision. Image: Afsane omidimorad CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Monitoring ROP services and programmes is important to improve accountability for the use of funds and resources and to improve performance and prevent vision loss from ROP.

Complete an appraisal of a real world application of Plan, Do, Study, Act cycles to improve oxygen saturation monitoring in the NICU and, finally, bring together your learning from the whole course and consider your next steps.