Eye Screening for Premature Babies

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially avoidable cause of irreversible, and usually total blindness in infants who are born premature. It is a major cause of blindness in children and has lifelong implications for the child. This occurs because all preterm infants were given 100% oxygen whether they needed it or not. Oxygen is highly toxic to blood vessels, including those in the retina. Infants with ROP have a massively increased risk of other pathology like high degrees of myopia; squint; cortical brain damage. They need regular follow up so these problems can be detected and managed.

1. A 5 weeks female baby born in 27 weeks of gestation weighing 920 gms was reviewed on 21.02.2019 by Dr.Krishna R Murthy.  The baby was at high risk of APROP. Aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (AP-ROP) is a severe and rare form of ROP which is characterized by fast progression to an advanced stage. The baby was advised for antivegf injection to both eyes at the earliest. Anti-VEGF drugs work by blocking the overgrowth of blood vessels in the retina.  The baby underwent both eyes antivegf injection on 23.02.2019 followed by laser treatment. As on 09.05.2019 ROP has regressed in both eyes and the baby has been advised to review after 2 weeks.

1. A 7 weeks male baby born in 28 weeks of gestation weighing 1000 gms was reviewed on 25.03.2019 on follow-up for detection of ROP. The baby was diagnosed to have both eyes ROP in stage 2 in zone 2 (zone means part of the retina affected, a) central b) peripheral & c) outer part of retina) with plus disease. The baby was advised for laser intervention to both eyes to avascular retina.  The baby underwent both eyes laser treatment on 27.03.2019. As on 08.04.2019 ROP has regressed in both eyes and the baby is doing well.