Barts and The London Children's Eye Service
Retinopathy of prematurity (called ROP) is a condition which can affect premature babies and can result in impairment or potentially total loss of vision.
Not all premature babies develop ROP, but babies who are born earlier than 32 weeks or with a birth weight of less then 1500gm (about 3 pounds and 5 ounces) are most at risk. It also depends on how well your baby’s retina has developed.
Our specialist nurses will screen your baby’s eyes for this condition using an instrument with a bright light called an ophthalmoscope. If it is found that your baby does have ROP, treatment options will be discussed with you by the eye doctor.
Your doctor will discuss with you the treatment which will best suit your baby. Laser surgery, and very occasionally, even more invasive surgery may be needed. Laser is the mainstay of treatment.
We are one of only a few units to audit our level of screening for retinopathy of prematurity and to take measures to improve it dramatically.
For more information about retinopathy of prematurity, please download our leaflet.