Understanding ROP

More than 80% of premature babies who weigh less than 1000 grams (2.2 lbs) will develop ROP. Most will resolve without treatment. Those who require treatment must receive it in a timely manner to obtain the best possible outcome. This may occur after discharge from the hospital. For this reason, it is critical that premature babies are examined according to the schedule that will be communicated to you at discharge. There is risk of retinal detachment from the active form of ROP until about 10 weeks after the baby’s due date (50 weeks after conception).

Vision is a highly complex act which requires the functioning of the visual pathways in the brain. Even with timely screening and proper treatment, other factors may lead to less than normal vision in premature infants. Modern treatment had reduced the devastating effects of ROP on the eye, yet worldwide, it remains the leading cause of pediatric retinal blindness. With or without ROP, there can be profound vision loss due to amblyopia (lazy eye), eye misalignment, or the need for glasses; therefore, every premature infant deserves the lifelong attention of an ophthalmologist.