Which ROP zone is most closely associated with the optic nerve?

ROP Zone 1 is the area most closely associated with the optic nerve due to its defined geographic boundaries. In the classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), Zone 1 encompasses the area around the fovea and is characterized by the proximity of the optic nerve head. This zone is significant because it represents a structure that is critical for vision, and the involvement of this area in ROP can have profound implications for the visual development of the infant.

Zone 1 is defined as the circular area with a radius that extends twice the distance from the optic nerve head to the fovea. This makes it the most central and crucial zone in the retina concerning visual pathways and functional vision. The risk of severe disease is also heightened in this region compared to other zones, which makes recognition of Zone 1 essential for intervention strategies in ROP.

Other zones, such as Zone 2 and Zone 3, extend outward from Zone 1 and involve regions of the retina that are farther from the optic nerve. While these zones are important in assessing ROP stages and potential treatment strategies, their relation to the optic nerve is not as direct as that of Zone 1. Zone 4 does not exist in the standard classification and is generally not