- Treatment alternatives for retinopathy of prematurity
- How is recovery after treatment of retinopathy of prematurity
- What can cause retinopathy of prematurity
Treatment for retinopathy of prematurity should be started as soon as possible after the diagnosis of the problem and aims to prevent the development of blindness, which is caused by the detachment of the retina inside the eye. However, even with the diagnosis of retinopathy, in some cases, it is only important to maintain regular evaluations by the ophthalmologist because the risk of the disease evolving is low.
In addition, it is advisable that all babies who have been diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity have annual appointments with the ophthalmologist as they are at increased risk of developing visual problems such as myopia, strabismus, amblyopia or glaucoma, for example.
Treatment alternatives for retinopathy of prematurity
In the chaos in which the ophthalmologist considers that there is a risk of blindness, some of the treatment options may be:
- Laser surgery: it is the most used form of treatment when retinopathy is diagnosed early and consists of applying laser rays to the eye to stop the abnormal growth of blood vessels that pull the retina out of its place; Placing a surgical band on the eye: it is used in advanced cases of retinopathy when the retina is affected and begins to detach from the bottom of the eye. In this treatment, a small band is placed around the eyeball to allow the retina to remain in place; Vitrectomy: is a surgery used in the most advanced cases of the problem and serves to remove the scarred gel that is inside the eye and replace it with a transparent substance.
These treatments are done with general surgery so that the baby is calm and does not feel any kind of pain. Therefore, if the baby has already been discharged from the maternity hospital, he may have to stay in the hospital one more day after the surgery.
After treatment, the baby may need to use a bandage after surgery, especially if he has had a vitrectomy or placed the surgery band on the eyeball.
How is recovery after treatment of retinopathy of prematurity
After undergoing treatment for premature retinopathy, the baby must be hospitalized for at least 1 day until he is completely recovered from the effects of anesthesia, and can return home after that time.
During the first week after surgery, parents should put the drops prescribed by the doctor in the baby's eye daily, to prevent the development of infections that can alter the result of the surgery or worsen the problem.
To ensure the cure of premature retinopathy, the baby should have regular visits to the eye doctor every 2 weeks to evaluate the results of the surgery until the doctor discharges. However, in cases where a band has been placed on the eyeball, routine consultations should be maintained every 6 months.
What can cause retinopathy of prematurity
Retinopathy of prematurity is a very common visual problem in premature babies that happens due to the reduced degree of development of the eye, which normally occurs during the last 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Thus, the risk of developing retinopathy is greater as the baby's gestational age is lower at birth, and is not influenced by external factors such as camera lights or flashes, for example.
