World Prematurity Day: Let us work together to Prevent ROP Related Blindness Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a very serious blinding emergency in newborn babies. On occasion of World Prematurity Day (Nov 17, 2018) a public awareness program was held at SuVi Eye Institute, Kota, Rajasthan to increase public awareness to prevent an epidemic of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in India. Who are at Risk of ROP?
Babies born under 32 weeks gestation and weighing less than 1,500 grams are particularly susceptible to ROP and must be screened within 20-30 days from birth. The ROP occurs 2-3 weeks after birth so there is a window of opportunity and ophthalmologist (retina specialist) need to see the baby within 20-30 days of birth. About 30% of the infants in a NICU can be affected with ROP and almost 10 % of them can go completely blind if they don’t reach an eye specialist within 30 days of…
