Recognize Prematurity Retinopathy (ROP), Eye Problems for Premature Babies that Potentially Blind

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Medical Video: Eye test for Retinopathy of Prematurity

The latest data from the WHO in 2017 says Indonesia ranks 5th as the country with the highest number of premature babies in the world. This is certainly worrying because premature babies have not developed enough to be more susceptible to complications from diseases and other health problems. Premature babies are even more at risk of having vision problems since birth than babies born full-term aka on time. One of the most common vision problems in the eyes of premature babies is retinopathy prematurity, or commonly abbreviated as ROP.

What is Retinopathy Prematurity (ROP)?

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an eye disorder of a premature baby that results from a newly formed blood vessel in the retinal layer that stops developing. As a result, the retina will form new abnormal blood vessels. These abnormal blood vessels are very susceptible to swelling until they break or leak. When this happens, the retina can detach from the eyeball and cause serious vision problems.

ROP mainly occurs in premature babies born before the 31st week of pregnancy weighing around 1,250 grams or even less. The smaller the baby at birth, the more likely it is to get ROP.

What are the causes of retinopathy prematurity?

The exact cause of retinopathy for prematurity is still unclear and continues to be debated. However, most experts agree that some of the following are the triggers for ROP.

  • Baby's weight is less than 1,500 grams at birth.
  • Born at a gestational age of less than 34-36 weeks. Babies born at 28 weeks 'gestation will be more susceptible to ROP than babies born at 32 weeks' gestation, although both are categorized as premature babies.
  • Babies who get oxygen to breathe.
  • Premature babies who have other health problems, such as infection or anemia (lack of red blood cells).

What are the problems that may arise in the eyes of premature babies with ROP in the future?

When the baby is growing up, the following complications of ROP disease that might occur:

  • Lazy eyes.
  • Cockeye.
  • Eye refractive problems (farsightedness or nearsightedness).
  • Glaucoma
  • Cataract.

In severe cases, retinopathy of prematurity has the potential to permanently blind the baby's eyes if not treated quickly.

Therefore, if you have a premature baby or sibling or relative who has a premature baby, do not forget to check them with the nearest ophthalmologist.

What checks should be done?

Retinal examination needs to be done on the eyes of premature babies as soon as possible to detect ROP risk before it's too late. Examination is done by first giving eye drops that are useful to dilate the pupils (the black part of the eye) and also to reduce pain.

Eye examination is usually done when the baby enters the age of 4-6 weeks, because at this age the new ROP can be detected properly. Further examination will be carried out every 1-3 weeks depending on the condition of the retina and also the severity of ROP experienced by the baby.

Is there any treatment that can be done?

There are several types of treatment that can be done for retinopathy prematurity, including:

  • Laser therapy at the edges of the retina to stop abnormal blood vessel growth.
  • Inject special drugs into the eyeball to reduce the growth of blood vessels.

These actions need to be done if there has been a pull on the retina.

Recognize Prematurity Retinopathy (ROP), Eye Problems for Premature Babies that Potentially Blind
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