General Information About Retinopathy of Prematurity
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a disease where the blood vessels in the retinal layer of the eye fail to develop because the baby is born prematurely, and subsequently, due to oxygen deprivation, produce defective vessels that bleed into the eye.
Premature babies born before 32 weeks and weighing under 1500 grams are in the highest risk group. The earlier the baby is born, the higher the risk of ROP.
High-concentration oxygen administered in the incubator (intensive care) is life-saving, but it disrupts the normal development of retinal blood vessels and is one of the most important factors triggering the development of ROP.
The disease has no symptoms that can be seen from the outside. A family cannot understand this just by looking at the baby's eyes. For this reason, it is imperative that every prematurely born baby is screened by an eye doctor.
For at-risk babies, the first eye (fundus) examination is performed in the 4th week after birth. If the disease is present or the risk persists, these examinations are repeated every 1-2 weeks until the retinal blood vessels are fully developed.
Early stages may regress spontaneously. In advancing stages, to stop defective blood vessel production, intraocular injections (Anti-VEGF) are given, or the peripheral parts of the retina are cauterized with laser treatment to prevent blindness (retinal detachment).
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
