What is ROP?
When an infant is born prematurely, the retina of the eye is still developing. Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) occurs when the retinal vessels in the eyes of a premature infant have not finished growing at the time of the infant's birth. This can lead to abnormal vessel growth, bleeding of the vessels, or scarring of the existing vessels. Retinal scarring and bleeding can lead to retinal detachment, causing permanent blindness. It is estimated that 400 infants are blinded each year, and 4300 infants have serious scarring to the retinas due to ROP. The disease is preventable and curable, if diagnosed and treated in time. Early diagnosis and treatment of ROP is critical to prevent total blindness.
Who is at risk?
Infants born at an early gestational age and low birthweight are at greatest risk for developing ROP. There are also avoidable and preventable factors that contribute to the severity and progression of ROP, including:
- Prolonged administration of oxygen
- Excessive or high concentrations of oxygen use
- Shock
- Asphyxia (lack of oxygen)
- Hypothermia (low body temperature)
- Acidosis (increased acid in the blood)
- Vitamin E deficiency
Did Medical Wrongdoing Contribute to the Severity of Your Child's ROP?
Blindness from ROP is avoidable and can be prevented. When an infant is born prematurely, doctors and nurses play a vital role in limiting the severity of your baby's ROP. The severity of ROP is affected by:
- Improperly using oxygen therapy after an infant is born
- Negligent monitoring of oxygen administration to an infant
- Failure to identify infants at risk for ROP
- Failure to diagnose ROP in a timely manner
- Failure to treat ROP in a timely manner
- Failure to provide follow-up care
While a premature birth is sometimes unavoidable, permanent visual impairments and blindness are preventable and can be limited by the doctors and nurses caring for your newborn. The attorneys of The Becker Law Firm, L.P.A., in Cleveland, Ohio, represent children harmed by medical negligence or carelessness in contributing to the severity of Retinopathy of Prematurity.
