Ayesha Muneer Khalid, Agha Ali Haider, Nosheen Fatima, Fatima Tahira, Fizza, Amna, Lubna Siddique, Muhammad Moin, Agha Shabbir Ali.
Retinopathy of Prematurity; an Experience at a Tertiary Care Hospital.
Pak Paed J Jan ;41(2):97-102.

Purpose: In developing country causes of severe visual impairment and blindness are related to infant mortality rate because underlying causes are interrelated. This study is conducted to review the major preventable cause of blindness, Retinopathy of Prematurity in neonates. Methodology: Study was conducted at Neonatology section of Pediatrics Department, Lahore General Hospital from 1st January to 31st December 2016. All premature babies born before 34 weeks of gestation underwent retinal examination by ophthalmoscopy for development of retinopathy of prematurity after initial management of hypothermia, fluid and electrolytes and nutritional rehabilitation. Screening continued after discharge from hospital till normal development of retina. Results: During study period 421 preterm babies were admitted, 144 died while 57 lost to follow up and screening of 220 babies revealed ROP in 67 babies. 14 had type I and 53 had type II disease. In type I disease, stage I had 3 patients, stage II had 5 patients and stage III had 6 patients. All type I disease underwent laser therapy and inj. Avastin according to stage of disease as decided by ophthmologist. Babies had satisfactory recovery of vision after therapy. Conclusion: ROP is preventable cause of blindness in children. Proper use of Oxygen protocol in preterm babies can prevent ROP in most preterm babies. In time diagnosis by appropriate screening can identify this disease at early stage. Therapeutic management by laser therapy and inj. avastin can help to regain normal vision.

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