What defines Stage 1 ROP?

Stage 1 ROP, or Retinopathy of Prematurity, is characterized by mildly abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. This stage signifies that there are signs of abnormal vascular development, but it is not severe enough to pose an immediate serious risk to vision or to develop further complications.

In this initial stage, the blood vessels are described as being in a state of mild aberration, which often can resolve on its own without medical intervention. Monitoring is typical during this stage as the condition may stabilize or progress to further stages, but the key factor is that the growth is only mildly abnormal, differentiating it from more serious manifestations of ROP.

The other options detail more advanced stages of the disease, where there would be severe abnormal growth of blood vessels, total retinal detachment, or moderate retinal detachment, none of which characterize Stage 1 ROP.