|
Ophthalmology Clinic
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a
potentially blinding condition, affects many premature infants who
are born weighing less than 1,500 grams. Today, ROP is
second-leading cause of vision loss and blindness in children of
developed countries.
Retinopathy of prematurity occurs when
blood vessels that normally would develop in the womb begin to grow
in the wrong places in the eye after premature delivery. Early
examination by an ophthalmologist is necessary to catch ROP and
treat it in its early stages. At Texas Children's, ophthalmologists
examine premature babies for ROP at five weeks after birth.
Ophthalmologists at Texas Children's
Hospital are currently participating in a study on the early
treatment of retinopathy of prematurity.
ROP regresses spontaneously in most
infants and approximately 600 children per year have permanent
vision damage due to the condition.
In a study conducted by Dr. David Coats and Dr. Evelyn Paysee of
Texas Children's Hospital, 100% of infants born weighing 500 to 900
grams and less than 25 weeks of gestation developed retinopathy of
maturity. The disease spontaneously improved in nearly 60% of those
children. The remaining 40% developed more advanced stages of ROP.
Premature babies who are born at 26
weeks or greater are progressively less likely to develop the more
severe stages of retinopathy of prematurity.
As ROP progresses, certain eye problems
are more likely to occur, such as detached retina, cataract,
glaucoma, strabismus (wandering eye), amblyopia (lazy eye), and
myopia (nearsightedness). Routine ophthalmologic exams are strongly
recommended throughout life since vision loss and blindness are more
common in adults who had ROP as a child.
Read about one family's experience with
the Texas Children's Newborn Center and ophthalmology treatment.
   |
