Objective:

To synthesize international evidence on the social and economic burden of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and the cost-effectiveness of screening and treatment approaches.

Approach:

• Literature Review: A narrative review of studies published from 2003 to 2025, focusing on cost-effectiveness analyses, burden-of-disease reports, and policy-related publications.
• Data Sources: PubMed was the primary database for identifying relevant literature using specific search terms related to ROP's social cost and economic impact.

Key Findings:

• AI-assisted telescreening and smartphone-based imaging may provide cost-effective screening options.
• Societal costs from ROP-related blindness exceed the costs of timely screening and intervention.
• Significant gaps exist in long-term follow-up costs and comparative cost-effectiveness of different treatment methods.
• Integrated screening programs, digital innovations, and mobile screening units can reduce preventable ROP-related blindness.

Interpretation:

Healthcare systems should prioritize ROP screening programs and consider validated telemedicine and AI-assisted technologies.

Limitations:

• Limited evidence on long-term follow-up costs and the economic effects of delayed or missed screening.
• The review primarily utilized PubMed, which may limit the comprehensiveness of the literature search.

Conclusion:

Future research should expand societal cost analyses and develop country-specific economic models for ROP management.