Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is retinopathy of prematurity? " пїЅ Retinopathy of prematurity (also called "ROP " пїЅ) is an eye condition that happens in babies who are born very early or are very small. In ROP, extra blood vessels grow inside the eye. They can damage the tissue at the back of the eye, called the "retina. " пїЅ This part of the eye contains the cells that react to light. Damage to the retina can cause vision problems and even blindness. пїЅ пїЅ

ROP usually goes away as a baby grows. But if ROP is severe, a baby might need treatment. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of ROP? " пїЅ ROP does not usually cause symptoms. But if a baby is born very early or is very small, doctors will check for signs of ROP. пїЅ пїЅ

Is there a test for ROP? " пїЅ Yes. An eye doctor with special training in caring for newborn babies can do an exam to check for ROP. A baby might not need this exam until he or she is 4 to 8 weeks old. пїЅ пїЅ

After the first exam, an eye doctor will probably check your babys eyes every 1 to 3 weeks. He or she can check to see if the ROP is getting worse or better. If it gets worse, your baby might need treatment. пїЅ пїЅ

How is ROP treated? " пїЅ Some babies do not need any treatment for ROP. But severe ROP needs treatment. If severe ROP is not treated, it can cause blindness. пїЅ пїЅ

Doctors usually treat ROP with a procedure called "photocoagulation. " пїЅ This treatment uses a powerful light called a "laser " пїЅ to seal or destroy the extra blood vessels. пїЅ пїЅ

Sometimes, ROP pulls the retina out of its normal place in the eye. When this happens, it is called a "retinal detachment. " пїЅ Doctors can do surgery to put the retina back in place. But there might be too much damage for surgery to fix it completely. If this happens to your baby, he or she might not see well from that eye. пїЅ пїЅ

Can ROP be prevented? " пїЅ Right now, doctors do not have a good way to keep babies from getting ROP. But if your baby needs eye exams to check for ROP, make sure you go to all the appointments. If you do this, your baby can get treatment for ROP if he or she needs it. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83444 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

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Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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