Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Treatment in Jaipur

What is Retinopathy of Prematurity?

ROP, or Retinopathy of Prematurity, is a severe eye disorder that predominantly affects newborns delivered prematurely—especially those under 31 weeks or lighter than 1.5 kilograms at the time of birth.

Now, let me explain it in simple words — when babies are born too early, the blood vessels in their eyes (especially in the retina, which helps us see) don’t get time to grow properly. Instead, they start growing in the wrong way — too fast, too messy, and in the wrong direction. This can damage the retina, cause scarring, and in worst cases, the retina can even detach — which can make the child permanently blind.

Why Does ROP Happen?

Normally, inside the mother’s womb, the blood vessels of the retina grow slowly and completely. But if the baby comes early, this process gets disturbed. Once the baby is out in the world — especially if they are in the NICU and need oxygen — the retina gets confused and starts growing abnormal blood vessels. These new vessels are weak, leaky, and dangerous — they can pull on the retina and cause bleeding or detachment.

This happens more often in babies who:

Are born before 31 weeks of pregnancy

Weigh less than 1500 grams (1.5 kg)

Need oxygen or ventilator support in NICU

Stages of ROP

ROP doesn’t just appear overnight. It progresses in 5 stages — from mild to very severe:

Stage 1 & 2

Mild changes in the retina’s blood vessels. Most of the time, it improves by itself.

Stage 3

Abnormal vessels start to grow into the retina. This is a danger zone and needs close monitoring or treatment.

Stage 4

The retina starts detaching partly.

Stage 5

Represents a complete retinal detachment, marking the most advanced and life-altering stage of ROP. If not treated quickly, the child can go blind.

Does ROP Show Any Symptoms?

This is the scary part — ROP usually has no signs in the early stages. Your baby won’t cry, won’t show pain, and their eyes may look completely normal. That’s why we must not wait for symptoms.

In the later stages, you might notice:

Eyes not moving together or shaking (nystagmus)

A white reflection in the pupil (like a cat’s eye in the dark)

Crossed or misaligned eyes

The baby not looking at faces or reacting to light

But again — don’t wait for these signs. Screening must happen before any damage begins.

Who Should Be Screened?

At Pink City Eye & Retina Center, we strongly recommend ROP screening for:

All babies born before 31 weeks

All babies weighing less than 1500 g at birth

Any premature baby who needed oxygen, ventilator, or NICU care

How Do We Diagnose ROP?

Diagnosis is done with care and precision, using:

Dilated eye exam – Using safe eye drops to look at the retina with a special tool

Retinal imaging – To document how the retina looks and how the disease is progressing

ROP Grading – We assess which stage the baby is in and decide what to do next

When Do We Treat ROP?

Not all ROP needs treatment, but some definitely do. If your baby has:

Stage 3 or worse with signs of active disease

Aggressive Posterior ROP (fast-growing and dangerous)

…then immediate treatment is required. No delay. Every day matters.

What Are the Treatment Options?

We have several advanced and safe options at our center:

1. Laser Treatment

Most common and effective for many babies

We use a laser to stop the abnormal vessels from growing

Helps prevent retinal detachment

2. Anti-VEGF Injections

A tiny injection of medicine like Ranibizumab or Bevacizumab into the eye

Works well for aggressive cases or if the disease is near the center of vision

3. Surgery (Vitrectomy or Scleral Buckling)

Needed only in advanced stages (Stage 4 & 5)
Helps to reattach the retina and possibly save or improve some vision

Aftercare & Follow-Up

Now here’s where I really want parents to not get careless. Even if treatment is successful, your baby must come for regular check-ups. The retina may look okay now, but later the child could still face:

Nearsightedness or glasses needs

Lazy eye (amblyopia)

Glaucoma or other complications

Early detection of these issues helps us fix them fast. So please, don’t skip appointments thinking, “Sab theek ho gaya hai, ab kya zarurat?” That’s dangerous.

What Can You Expect from Treatment?

Let me be honest and realistic — most babies who are diagnosed early and treated on time do very well. Some may need glasses or therapy later, but they have functional, usable vision.

However, in advanced or delayed cases, even with treatment, there may be some vision loss. That’s why timing is everything.

Can ROP Be Prevented?

We can’t completely prevent ROP, but we can reduce the risk by:

Ensuring good prenatal care to avoid early delivery

Keeping oxygen levels in NICU under strict control

Getting timely eye screening by a trained retina specialist
Following up regularly after discharge from NICU

Final Words from Dr. Abhishek Kothari

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is not a small thing. It’s a very serious eye disease that can take away your baby’s eyesight forever — and the worst part is, it can happen silently, without any signs. But the good news? It is completely treatable if caught on time.

At Pink City Eye & Retina Center, we handle this with heart, honesty, and high-level expertise. We’re not here just to treat, we’re here to protect your child’s future. From early detection to proper treatment, and lifelong follow-up, we make sure your baby’s eyes are cared for every step of the way.Babies born prematurely, with low birth weight, or who required oxygen therapy or neonatal intensive care are at increased risk. This is not the time to be careless or wait for symptoms.

Because once damage happens to the retina, you can regret it, but you can’t reverse it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can ROP go away on its own?

Yes, in many cases—especially in mild stages—ROP can resolve on its own without the need for treatment. However, it’s important that the condition is closely monitored by an eye specialist, as some cases may worsen and require intervention.

Is ROP common?

Yes, ROP is relatively common among premature babies, particularly those born before 31 weeks of gestation or weighing less than 1500 grams (about 3.3 pounds). Thanks to better neonatal care, many cases are now detected early and managed effectively.

Is ROP painful?

ROP itself is not painful. However, if treatment is needed (like laser therapy or injections), it is done under anesthesia or sedation to ensure the baby is comfortable and doesn’t experience pain during the procedure.

When should screening for ROP begin?

ROP screening usually starts between 4 to 6 weeks after birth, or when the baby reaches 31 weeks postmenstrual age, whichever comes later. Timely screening is essential for early detection and treatment.

What is the birth weight for ROP?

Infants with a birth weight below 1500 grams are particularly susceptible to developing ROP — the smaller the baby, the higher the danger.

Does ROP affect both eyes?

Yes, ROP typically affects both eyes, although the severity may not be equal in each. Both eyes are carefully examined and monitored during the screening process.

Can premature babies see?

Yes, premature babies can see, but their vision may be underdeveloped at birth. Over time, visual function improves, but conditions like ROP can affect the development of normal vision if not properly managed.

Is ROP curable?

ROP is treatable, especially when detected early. In many mild cases, it resolves on its own. For more advanced stages, treatments like laser therapy or anti-VEGF injections can stop disease progression and preserve vision. Early intervention leads to the best outcomes.

What is the success rate of ROP treatment?

When identified and treated promptly, ROP often responds very well to therapy, showing high rates of success. Laser therapy and injections can stop disease progression in most cases, with many babies going on to have good or functional vision. However, severe cases may still lead to vision impairment despite treatment.

Retinal detachment is a medical emergency that requires swift action. If you experience symptoms, consult an eye specialist immediately to protect your vision.

Working hours

Need expert care? We are available at the below hours. Schedule your visit today!

MON – SAT

10AM – 7PM

BOOK

SUNDAY

10AM – 7AM