With today's developing technology, babies with smaller birth weights and those born prematurely can be kept alive thanks to newborn care units. However, the development of the eye, especially in the postnatal period, differs from other tissues and organs. The last 12 weeks of pregnancy are an important period in which the development of the retina and vessels of the eye accelerates. In premature babies, the retina and vessels are shorter than the area they should reach and cannot develop.
When the baby is born, abnormal new vascular formations emerge from these underdeveloped vessels. These new vascular formations are vessels that are prone to bleeding and the complication called retinal detachment.
In neonatal retinopathy, diseased vessels cause bleeding into the eye, retinal tears and shrinkage of the retina.
Especially under 32 weeks and weighing less than 1500gr. The risk of developing premature retinopathy is high in premature babies who have a birth weight, have received intensive oxygen therapy in an incubator environment, have had respiratory problems, have had intracranial bleeding, have had an infection, or have anemia.
As above. Babies who meet one or more of the criteria must undergo a detailed retinal examination. This retinal examination must be performed between the 4th week and the 6th week at the latest after birth.
In neonatal retinopathy, a detailed retinal examination should be performed by indirect ophthalmoscopy.
If your doctor sees a progression in the disease during these examinations, he may recommend treatment. . Treatment of premature retinopathy is done with laser. The aim is to prevent the development of complications such as bleeding and detachment mentioned above due to new vascular formation.
In cases where laser treatment is ineffective or treatment is delayed, vitrectomy surgery may be required for bleeding in the eye and retinal detachment.
In order to avoid the need for surgery in premature retinopathy, premature babies must undergo a timely retinal examination and necessary follow-ups.
The need to use glasses at an early age is higher in children with a history of premature retinopathy than their peers. That's why eyeglasses should be checked starting from the age of 2-3. Adults with a history of premature retinopathy also have a higher than normal risk of developing retinal detachment. That's why annual checks are necessary.
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