Objective: in this research we analysed and showed the incidence of ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) at the Department of Neonatology, Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Center Split in the period from January 2012 to December 2016 and determined the risk factors and their association with occurence of ROP. Patients and methods: the study included 247 premature infants treated at the Department of Neonatology in the period 2012 - 2016 year. Inclusion criteria were birth weight ≤ 1500 g and/or gestational age ≤ 32 weeks and birth weight between 1500 and 2000 grams and gestational age > 32 weeks if the clinical course of the disease is unstable and/or risk factors associated with the ROP were present. Based on the data obtained from the medical history of the Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Split, the following variables were analysed: gestational age and birth weight, oxygen therapy, duration of invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation, the use of surfactant, the existence of chronic lung disease, intraventricular haemorrhage ≥ gr II and apnea, blood products transfusion and sepsis. Results: the incidence of retinopathy in a risk group of preterm infants in the five year period was 23.9%. Major risk factors for ROP were low birth weight and gestational age, both with the existence of a wide range of values. The highest incidence of ROP was recorded in a group of extremely immature preterm infants. There was no statistically significant correlation between the appearance of the ROP to sex, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), blood products transfusion and intraventricular haemorrhage ≥ gradus II. Premature infants with lower grade of vitality at birth (Apgar score < 6) significantly more often developed ROP. Recurrent apnea, chronic lung disease, duration of oxygen therapy, duration of noninvasive and invasive ventilation duration were significantly associated with the occurrence of ROP. Conclusion: the most important risk factors for the onset and development of retinopathy of prematurity are low birth weight and gestational age at birth. Due to the existence of a wide range of value birth weight and gestational age, our research is classified in so-called third epidemic of ROP. Lower grade of vitality in the first minute after birth (Apgar < 6) was significantly associated with the development and progression of ROP, as well as the presence of recurrent apnea, chronic lung disease and the total duration of oxygen therapy. Prolonged oxygen therapy was significantly associated with the occurrence of severe forms of ROP. The precise definition of risk groups of premature infants and engaging in appropriate screening programs contribute to reducing the incidence of severe forms of ROP and subsequent devastating effects, such as lifelong blindness.