Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an eye disease that can happen in babies who are premature (born early) — or who weigh less than 3 pounds at birth.
ROP happens when abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye). Some babies with ROP have mild cases and get better without treatment. But some babies need treatment to protect their vision and prevent blindness.
There are no signs of ROP that you can see. In advanced cases of ROP, the retina may partially or completely pull away from its normal position at the back of the eye. This is called retinal detachment — and it can cause vision loss and blindness
If your baby had ROP that caused damage, you may later notice that :
Their eyes wander, shake, or make other unusual movements
Their pupils look white
They have trouble recognizing faces
Their eyes don’t follow objects
Many babies with ROP have mild cases and get better without treatment. But some babies need treatment to keep ROP from getting worse. It’s important to get treated early to protect your child’s vision.
Laser treatment : Babies with advanced ROP may need laser treatment on the sides of the retina. This treatment can help keep ROP from getting worse and help protect your child’s vision.
Injections : Doctors can also inject medicines called anti-VEGF drugs into your baby’s eye. These medicines work by blocking the growth of blood vessels
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
From routine eye care to cutting-edge diagnosis and treatment of more complex eye conditions, our world-renowned specialists provide the most comprehensive range of eye health services in the world.
