Retinopathy of prematurity and some things parents need to pay attention to

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Retinopathy of prematurity is a common condition, especially in infants born at less than 33 weeks of gestation or with a birth weight under 2000g. The reason is that the retina typically develops from the 16th to the 40th week of pregnancy; in premature infants, the retinal blood vessels do not develop properly, and this abnormal development can lead to retinal damage and affect the child’s vision. If the disease is not detected and treated in a timely manner, a significant percentage are at risk of permanent blindness in both eyes.

How to know if a child has retinopathy?

  • Retinopathy, when it has manifested externally, is already in a very late stage. In the early stages, it cannot be detected by the naked eye.
  • An ophthalmologist will have specialized tools and equipment to examine the child’s retina and detect the disease at a very early stage.

What can be done to prevent the child from getting the disease?

  • Proper management of pregnancy to reduce the risk of premature birth.
  • If premature birth occurs with low birth weight, it is essential to adhere to the eye examination schedule for the baby.
  • Do not be complacent if the baby’s eyes appear normal on the outside.

What are the treatment options when a child is sick?

  • There are currently 2 treatment methods: laser and medication injection. The success rate for laser treatment is 65% for severe cases and about 90% – 95% for mild or moderate cases. Medication injection has a success rate of 98 – 100%.

For retinopathy in premature infants, the earlier the treatment, the higher the effectiveness. Typically, the screening for retinopathy in premature infants occurs at 4 – 6 weeks of age after birth. Therefore, for children with high-risk factors such as being born prematurely or having a low birth weight below normal, parents should take their children for early eye examinations at medical facilities to screen for this condition. With a team of experienced doctors, modern equipment, comfortable facilities, and dedicated service, parents can be completely assured when bringing their baby for examination and treatment at the Eye Clinic of the Hospital. Parents in need, please contact the hotline: 0225.385.9999 for detailed consultation and to schedule an examination and treatment!

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