Medical experts have called for mandatory eye screening of all premature babies in Pakistan, stressing that up to 45 percent of the one million premature babies born annually in the country may suffer from a disease that can cause incurable blindness.
According to Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, this condition, called Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), requires immediate treatment to avoid permanent vision loss.
The Trust’s Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus said today that as a result of improved survival rates for newborns, the number of children at risk for ROP is increasing.
The disease occurs because the eye’s blood vessels, which begin to form about three months into pregnancy and are complete at full term, can have their development affected by premature birth, potentially damaging the retina.
Pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Amjad stated that the risk is highest in babies weighing less than 1.5 kg at birth. He added that properly balancing oxygen levels can reduce the chances of the condition developing.
In a recent case, seven-month-old twin brothers, Ibrahim and Ismail, were diagnosed with ROP. Their mother said that prompt treatment controlled the disease before it could cause permanent damage, saving them from potential blindness and giving me courage.
Since launching a special program for ROP in 2013, Al-Shifa Trust has treated approximately 19,000 children.
The organization has made arrangements with various hospitals to facilitate screening, transfers, and surgery. It provides free diagnosis and guidance through tele-ophthalmology services to remote areas and even abroad.
Dr. Amjad reiterated that eye screening should be made a mandatory measure for all premature babies.