ROP screening started from October 1st 2005
- What is ROP?
- It is characterized by an abnormal development of blood vessels in the retina which can result in scarring or retinal detachment.. Hence, it is a devastating, blinding disease affecting the eyes of premature children that have received specialized neonatal care.
- We are committed to try to save the vision in as many eyes as possible through our ROP screening program.
We visit the NICU and also perform the LASER whenever required in the ICU.
For more details refer to Our Protocol
ROP Screening Protocol
| Birth weight < 2000 gms | Gestational age < 34 weeks | Exposed to oxygen for > 30 days |
| Other premature babies (>34 weeks and/or < 2000gms) with any one of the following | ||
| a) Respiratory distress/ Apnoeic episodes/ prolonged o2/cardiovascular support | b) Sepsis | c) Blood transfusions/anemia/ exchange transfusion |
| d) Multiple births | e) Poor post natal weight gain | f) Intraventricular haemorrhage |
- Infants > 1200 grams at birth or > 28 weeks gestational age are screened 3-4 weeks after birth
- Infants < 1200 grams at birth or < 28 weeks GA, screened at 2-3 weeks after birth
- Next date of examination to be decided by the ophthalmologist based on initial findings
- Complete one screening session definitely before ‘Day 30’ of the infant’s life
- Inform us 2 days in advance
- Dilate the child’s eyes with the dilating drops prepared and provided by us .
- Instill single drop of the dilating drops (0.5% Cyclopentolate with 2.5% Phenylephrine in both the eyes three times within the interval of 10 minutes; starting 45minutes prior to the scheduled visit of the doctor
- Keep the baby fasting at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time for the screening
- During the screening:
- Keep the screening chart and the inpatient record card ready with the sister in charge
- Switch off the overhead lights
- Provide the pulse-oximeter during the examination and a nurse to assist the examination
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After the screening:
- Feed the child after 1 hour to prevent vomiting
Intervention may be needed in the form of:
LASER photocoagulation
Anti- VEGF injections
Retinal surgery
Call the child for the follow up examination upto 2 years of age for assessing fixation, squints and refractive errors. Thereafter, based on the pediatric ophthalmologists recommendations.