A full gestation period of a human baby is 280 days or 40 weeks. But, when a child is born before the period of full gestation is called Premature birth and is susceptible by 2.3% to Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) an eye disease due to incomplete development and hence abnormal blood vessels to grow in the retina, which can lead to blindness.
These vessels tend to leak or bleed, leading to scarring of the retina, the layer of nerve tissue in the eye that lets us see. When the scars shrink, they pull on the retina, detaching it from the back of the eye. Because the retina is a vital part of vision, its detachment will cause blindness.
ROP has no signs or symptoms when it first develops in a newborn. The only way to detect it is through an eye exam by an Ophthalmologist. Here, with reference from our Paediatric Specialist Dr. Nitu Khadse, Vitreo Retina Surgeon Dr. Sandeep Anjankar is undergoing ROP check-up of both the eyes. Luckily, this child was fine because her parents were aware enough to bring her to comprehensive check-up immediately.
So, when are you bringing your child for a Retina eye check-up.
The department is spearheaded by a highly skilled and trained Doctor and staff with Vitreo Retina specialization, counsellor and nurses. The Patients are individually followed up according to the history recorded in the software used by SGLEH, keeping in mind that timely prevention of the disease through expert care and specific procedures can be helpful in avoiding blindness. The department excels in dealing with Retina trauma care and is proficiently dealing with critical to critical cases every day.