Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an eyesight condition which primarily affects premature infants born before 31 weeks and weighing 2 ¾ pounds or less. When treated promptly this condition is easily resolved, however serious cases or prolonged prognosis can potentially result in baby blindness.

This makes retinopathy of prematurity treatment recommendations vital for patients, and healthcare providers should provide all possible options. Retinopathy of prematurity occurs when abnormally weak and frail blood vessels develop in the eyes of premature infants which may result in retina detachment.

This is because the eyes of the infant develop in the last 12 weeks of pregnancy. Approximately 14,000 to 16,000 infants are born with ROP, but 400 to 600 infants have severe enough cases that may result in baby blindness.

Early diagnosis and prompt medical intervention is important, as there are different methods of prematurity of retinopathy treatment available.

Overview of Retinopathy of Prematurity Treatment

One of the most recent retinopathy of prematurity treatment options in development is using cancer treatment drug Avastin (bevacizumab) to stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels.

However, researchers must further explore the full effects this drug has on premature infants before proceeding. Avastin is normally used to treat colon cancer by blocking the growth of blood vessels in tumors.

This drug is also popularly used to slow the growth of retinal blood vessels for two serious eye disorders in adults: wet macular degeneration and advanced diabetic retinopathy.

From this treatment, researchers believe Avastin can possibly be used as a retinopathy of prematurity treatment method in premature infants at high risk for baby blindness.

Further research is needed to properly configure the timing of when Avastin should be used with premature infants, with researchers hoping to find the dose producing the most effect. In addition, researchers need to identify how long the medication may last.

At this point Avastin has been shown not to leak out of the retina, but researchers are concerned with how the drug may slow down the development of normal blood vessels in different areas of the infant’s body.

While there are currently a number of options for retinopathy of prematurity treatment, some options could pose potential threats to the infant.

For example, laser surgery is standard retinopathy of prematurity treatment but may damage the infant’s peripheral vision and has the added risk of placing the infant under anesthesia. Other retinopathy of prematurity treatment options are:

• Oxygen treatment
• Laser therapy to prevent normal blood vessels spreading
• Scleral Buckle: a silicone band that is placed around the eye to repair retinal detachment
• Vitrectomy: surgery that removes the vitreous gel from the eye to treat retinal detachment
• Retina repair surgery

Even though there are various retinopathy of prematurity treatments available, doctors are still responsible for identifying the condition at an early stage to prevent progression. Failure to do so can result in avoidable baby blindness. Doctors who fail to do this may be liable for medical malpractice.