{"id":634,"date":"2026-01-29T09:35:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T09:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eyeconicv.com\/?page_id=634"},"modified":"2026-07-03T15:55:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T15:55:15","slug":"retinopathy-of-prematurity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.eyeconicv.com\/en\/patient-journey\/retinopathy-of-prematurity\/","title":{"rendered":"Retinopathy of prematurity"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
#<\/span><\/span><\/div>

Patient Journey<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Retinopathy of Prematurity<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

What is ROP?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

ROP is a condition where the blood vessels in the retina (the light - sensitive tissue at the back of the eye) don't develop normally. This can lead to scarring, retinal detachment, and vision loss if left untreated.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Causes and Risk Factors<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Premature birth, especially before 34 weeks of gestation, is the main risk factor for ROP. Other factors include low birth weight, oxygen therapy, and certain medical conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n

\nScreening and Timing<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

It is recommended to have ROP screening done for all babies born before 34 weeks of gestation or weighing less than 2000 grams. The first screening usually occurs between 31 - 33 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA).
\nRegular follow - ups are crucial to monitor the condition.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n

Screening Technique<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

ROP screening involves a gentle examination of the retina using a specialized instrument. Your baby's eyes will be dilated, and an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) will examine the retina for any signs of ROP.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n

Treatment Options<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

If If ROP is detected, can prevent vision loss.<\/p>\n

Options include:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections:<\/strong> Medications that help stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels.<\/li>\n
  • Laser photocoagulation:<\/strong> A procedure that uses a laser to destroy abnormal blood vessels.<\/li>\n
  • Cryotherapy:<\/strong> A procedure that uses freezing temperatures to destroy abnormal blood vessels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
    \n
    \n

    Good News<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

    With timely screening and treatment, most babies with ROP recover fully, and severe vision loss is rare. Regular follow - ups with an ophthalmologist are essential to ensure the best outcomes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

    \n
    \n

    What Can You Do?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

    As a parent, you play a vital role in your baby's eye health. Make sure to:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Attend all scheduled ROP screenings.<\/li>\n
    • Ask your baby's healthcare team about ROP and any concerns you may have.<\/li>\n
    • Follow up with the ophthalmologist as recommended.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Stay informed and working with your baby's healthcare team, to help ensure the best possible outcome.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

      \n
      \n

      Sources<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
        \n
      • American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020). Screening Examination of Premature
        Infants for Retinopathy of Prematurity.<\/li>\n
      • National Eye Institute. (2020). Retinopathy of Prematurity.<\/li>\n
      • Royal College of Ophthalmologists. (2019). Retinopathy of Prematurity:
        Guidelines for Screening and Treatment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
        \n
        <\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":142,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"dipi_cpt_category":[],"class_list":["post-634","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eyeconicv.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/634","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eyeconicv.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eyeconicv.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eyeconicv.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eyeconicv.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=634"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.eyeconicv.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/634\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1081,"href":"https:\/\/www.eyeconicv.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/634\/revisions\/1081"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eyeconicv.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eyeconicv.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=634"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"dipi_cpt_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eyeconicv.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dipi_cpt_category?post=634"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}