Which statement about retinopathy of prematurity is true?

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a condition that affects premature infants, where abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina, potentially leading to vision impairment or blindness. The risk of developing ROP is correlated with the degree of prematurity; the more preterm an infant is, the higher the likelihood of developing this condition. This is because the vascularization of the retina is not fully developed in extremely premature infants, making them more susceptible to the factors that contribute to ROP.

Premature birth interrupts the normal progression of eye development, and as gestational age decreases, infants are at increased risk for various complications, including ROP. This makes the understanding that the higher the degree of prematurity, the greater the risk of ROP critically important in neonatal care and monitoring.

The other options suggest alternative relationships with ROP that are not supported by clinical evidence or research. Hence, the statement that the more preterm an infant is, the higher the risk, accurately reflects the established understanding of ROP and its association with gestational age.