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Examine premature babies for retinal problem, urge doctors

Abu Dhabi - Premature babies are more likely to develop premature retinopathy, which causes vision loss in infants

All premature babies born earlier than 31 weeks of gestation at Danat Al Emarat Women & Children’s Hospital will be examined under an agreement between the hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi, which is part of United Eastern Medical Services in Abu Dhabi.
The checks will be done on newborn premature babies born earlier than 31 weeks of gestation, to avoid the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). ROP is a potentially blinding condition that affects premature babies, and one of the most common causes of vision loss in childhood.
Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, CEO, United Eastern Medical Services in Abu Dhabi, said, “As we see more premature babies at Danat Al Emarat Hospital, the need to implement this programme is high.”
Advanced high-tech equipment will be purchased for the eye examination and timely diagnosis of ROP cases. Professor Robert Scott, Medical Director and Retinal Surgery and Vitreous Consultant, Moorfields Eye Hospital, explained that if a baby is born before the 31st week of gestation, he/she is more prone to developing ROP, which leads to complications like blindness, if treatment is delayed. “In case ROP is diagnosed late, the newborn might need complicated surgery. If the infant is not diagnosed within the 1-2 weeks of birth, five per cent of cases develop retinal detachment, leading to blindness.”
In case ROP is detected, the baby will be treated early at the hospital’s NICU or Operating Theatre using the latest in laser therapy. The therapy session lasts 45 minutes, and treatment may continue for several days.
Prof Scott stated that it is very important that the parents demand his/her newborn’s eyes be checked before leaving the hospital in case of preterm birth, or if the infant weighed around 1500 gm or less, to avoid ROP.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com