Vision Loss Treated in PAU Hospital
20.10.2022
Born in a private hospital in Denizli and diagnosed with ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity), Muhammed Ali baby was referred to Pamukkale University Medical Faculty Hospital. Baby Muhammed, who was successfully treated for ROP and followed up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, was discharged.
Providing information on the subject, PAU Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Osman Parça said, “ROP is the retinal vascular disease we see in premature babies. In the case of preterm birth, the baby is born before the retinal vascularization process is completed. Depending on the birth weight, the week of birth, the general condition of the baby in the follow-up period and some risk factors related to lung development, the vascularization process may continue and be completed in its normal way, or the normal vascularization may be interrupted and abnormal vessels may develop and ROP may occur. Retinopathy does not develop in all premature babies, and most of those that do develop spontaneously during follow-up. However, in a small group of patients, permanent vision loss may occur if ROP is left untreated.
Babies born before 34 weeks or weighing less than 1700 g, who are at risk for ROP, and who are considered risky for the development of ROP by pediatricians, should be examined and the examination should be repeated until the normal vascularization of the retina is completed, and if the disease is detected, the examination should be repeated with varying frequency depending on the severity of the disease. In case of severe disease requiring treatment, negative consequences such as vision loss can often be prevented if treated as soon as possible.
Dr. Parça emphasized the importance of early treatment once again, stating that 5 babies who were referred from external centers were successfully treated at the clinic in the last 3 months, and that the follow-up processes continued.
Babies born before 34 weeks or weighing less than 1700 g, who are at risk for ROP, and who are considered risky for the development of ROP by pediatricians, should be examined and the examination should be repeated until the normal vascularization of the retina is completed, and if the disease is detected, the examination should be repeated with varying frequency depending on the severity of the disease. In case of severe disease requiring treatment, negative consequences such as vision loss can often be prevented if treated as soon as possible.
Dr. Parça emphasized the importance of early treatment once again, stating that 5 babies who were referred from external centers were successfully treated at the clinic in the last 3 months, and that the follow-up processes continued.
