A condition that can lead to blindness in infants is highly treatable, as long as it’s discovered early and treated in full.

Retinopathy of prematurity is a vision disorder that can result in blindness in infants and is caused by the abnormal development of blood vessels in a baby’s retinas.

These abnormal blood vessels are prone to leakage. They may scar the retina or pull it away from the rest of the eye, creating a risk of a detached retina.

Retinopathy of prematurity most frequently afflicts babies born premature. Most retinal development occurs in the last 12 weeks of gestation. Babies born before that period is complete may be born with incomplete retinal development. Scientists believe the body responds by triggering abnormal blood vessel growth within the retina.

Infants born before 31 weeks of gestation or with a weight of less than about 2 3/4 pounds are most at risk for retinopathy of prematurity. The lower a baby’s birth weight, the more likely that baby will be born with retinopathy of prematurity.

Out of nearly 4 million babies born every year in the U.S., around 14,000 to 16,000 are born with some degree of retinopathy of prematurity. It’s one of the most frequent causes of blindness in infants.

Fortunately, most cases of retinopathy are fairly mild. They may resolve with little or no lasting residual effects. Cases that mild may not even require any particular treatment.

A fraction of cases are significantly more severe, however. In the U.S., around 1,100 to 1,500 babies are born with retinopathy of prematurity severe enough to require treatment.

Treatments to Avoid Blindness in Infants

Thanks to improvements in neonatal care, the rate of blindness in infants born with retinopathy of prematurity is significantly lower than it used to be. Smaller and more prematurely-born infants have even better odds than they used to of being saved from blindness.

Even the more severe cases of this condition can be treatable. Cryotherapy and laser therapy can be used to ablate the affected parts of the retina.

In more advanced cases, doctors may affix and tighten a silicone band, known as a sclera buckle, around the eyeball. By compressing the eye, the buckle helps the retinal remain flat against the inner surface of the eye. This buckle gets left in place for months or even years, but it must eventually be removed since the eye continues to grow.

Vitrectomy is another treatment option for some of the most advanced cases. This procedure involves removing the vitreous gel from inside the eye and replacing it with saline solution. Scar tissue may then be removed, allowing the retina to flatten against the eye wall.

Medical Malpractice and Retinopathy of Prematurity

Since retinopathy of prematurity is so treatable, cases that lead to blindness in infants may be the result of medical malpractice.

This condition is most treatable if it’s found early and a timely diagnosis is made. Failure to diagnose this condition or to diagnose it at the correct stage can increase the risk of damage to vision.

Lack of follow-up care can also be the difference between a full recovery and lasting vision impairment. Sadly, some care providers have allegedly failed to communicate the importance of follow-up care to the parents of affected children.