Eye Care Services

Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) occurs due to abnormal growth of blood vessels in an infant's eye. During development, blood vessels grow from the central part of the retina outwards. This process is completed few weeks before the normal time of delivery. However in premature babies, it is incomplete. If blood vessels grow normally, ROP does not occur. On the contrary, if the vessels grow and branch abnormally the baby develops ROP.

Screening

Whom?

• Birth weight <2000gm or less
OR
• Gestational Age at <34 weeks or less
• Gestational Age between 34-36 weeks with risk factors like prolonged oxygenation, RDS
• Any premature baby with severe illness in perinatal period (RDS, sepsis, blood transfusion, IVH, apnoiec episodes, etc) need a retinal examination.

When?

Follow the ‘30 day’ strategy (i.e. the retinal examination should be completed at or before ‘day-30' of life).Should preferably be done earlier (at 2 - 3 weeks of birth) in very low weight babies (<1200gm) or in babies with very low gestational age
(< 28 weeks).

How?

An ophthalmologist (Retina Specialist) can detect ROP by dilated fundus examination. Indirect ophthalmoscopy is done to scan the entire retina and gauge the state of retinal maturity.

Management

The treatment in the form of lasers, intravitreal anti-VEGF injections or surgery is planned to reduce the Chances of unfavourable disease outcomes. mild forms of ROP may resolve on their own without any active intervention. Severe forms of the disease on the other hand may need medical treatment as long as it is limited to stage 3. Surgical intervention is necessary once the disease reaches stage 4 or 5.