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Premature Babies Risk Sight Loss: Doctors Warn Parents
30 Aug
Summary
- Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) threatens premature infants' sight.
- A 10-fold increase in ROP services noted over the last decade.
- Early eye checks and treatment can save infant vision effectively.
Doctors are raising awareness about Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a serious sight-threatening condition affecting premature infants. This condition arises from incomplete development of the blood vessels in a baby's retina. Over the last decade, there has been a tenfold increase in the demand for ROP services, highlighting a growing concern.
Comprehensive eye examinations are recommended for all infants born before 34 weeks of gestation or weighing less than two kilograms, typically within 20-30 days of birth. Even infants born at later gestations or with higher birth weights but unstable health require screening to rule out ROP.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment, which may involve laser surgery or anti-VEGF injections, are essential. These interventions effectively halt the progression of ROP, safeguarding the infant's vision and preventing irreversible blindness.
