Why ROP Is So Important?
Retinopathy of prematurity is an eye disease that occurs in premature babies. Infants born with a birth weight of 1250 grams or less or babies born at less than 30 weeks of the gestational period are at the highest risk of developing ROP. A human's vision depends upon his or her retina. ROP can occur in an early born baby because a premature retina layer with further exposure to certain factors that can act as a catalyst for this disease can be very dangerous for the condition called ROP. The retina could develop abnormal blood vessels that could result in internal bleeding of the eye and cause a retinal detachment. Therefore if ROP is not detected, treated and cured, it can cause irreversible loss of vision or even blindness.
The symptoms of retinopathy of prematurity
In retinopathy of prematurity, no early changes related to this disease will be visible with the naked eye. Thus any premature newborn who is considered to be at high risk should be screened and examined by an ophthalmologist to reveal any kind of abnormalities.
Treatment of ROP
There are five stages of ROP. The favourable being stage 1, which implies a minimum abnormal growth of the eye vessel. The final stage is the most severe, in which the newborn suffers from a retinal detachment and extensive eye scarring. All premature babies should go through an eye check-up at least once every year to ensure the development of their vision. The screening and treatment of ROP generally provide the best and suitable outcome in a timely eye check-up.
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