According to data from Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, thousands of premature babies in Pakistan are at risk of permanent vision loss due to a treatable eye disease that is going undiagnosed because of inadequate screening.
Professor Dr. Samira Altaf, Head of Pediatric Ophthalmology at Al-Shifa Trust, said today that babies born at or before 35 weeks, or weighing two kilograms or less, are at the highest risk. She stressed that an examination within four weeks of birth is essential for these vulnerable newborns. Annually, an estimated 7,200 babies born before 32 weeks could be affected by this disease.
This disease, called Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), is causing vision loss in newborns in the country, with a rate significantly higher than the global average and nearly double that of Western countries. The health crisis is exacerbated by Pakistan’s high preterm birth rate of 14.4%, ranking fourth globally, and its third-place ranking in neonatal mortality worldwide.
A major obstacle to preventing this disease is the lack of resources. A survey conducted in Peshawar, Balochistan, and Lahore revealed that most hospitals lack necessary screening facilities and face a shortage of trained doctors. The problem is compounded by the absence of a national protocol for ROP diagnosis, which experts believe could save the sight of thousands of children.
The consequences of late diagnosis are severe. One study found that 76.4% of children affected by ROP became completely blind, while the remaining 23.6% suffered from severe visual impairment.
In response to this crisis, Al-Shifa Trust provides these vital services free of charge. The institution employs a coordinator to maintain records of newborns and ensure their screening. Additionally, the hospital organizes workshops and training sessions for ophthalmologists to build capacity in this field.
As a result of these efforts, specialists trained by the Trust are now serving in at least four hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The network of trained professionals has also been extended to major cities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.