Doctors caution parents against vision-threatening ROP in premature babies

Doctors from the Visakhapatnam-based LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) have urged parents of premature and low-birth-weight babies to be vigilant about retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a potentially sight-threatening condition that can lead to childhood blindness if left undetected.

ROP occurs when the blood vessels supplying the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, do not develop normally. It is among the leading causes of preventable blindness in children, doctors said.

According to data published by LVPEI, the need for ROP services among children visiting its paediatric ophthalmology department has increased nearly tenfold over the past decade, highlighting the growing need for timely screening and intervention.

Doctors advised that all babies born before 34 weeks of gestation or weighing less than 2 kg at birth should undergo a comprehensive eye examination by a trained ophthalmologist within 20 to 30 days of birth.

Infants born after 34 weeks or weighing more than 2 kg who have an unstable clinical course should also be screened to rule out ROP, they said.

Timely screening is crucial, as ROP can progress rapidly without obvious symptoms in the early stages, doctors cautioned.

Early detection and appropriate treatment can prevent the condition from progressing and help preserve the child’s vision. Depending on the severity, treatment may involve laser surgery or anti-VEGF injections.

Doctors stressed that parents should not wait for visible signs of an eye problem before seeking an examination, as timely screening and treatment can make a critical difference in preserving the vision of premature babies.