Glasses may improve the vision of these children, unless the eye is badly damaged. Unfortunately, clinical research has not yet found a way to prevent ROP in all babies. The sophisticated medical care provided in modern neonatal intensive care units has improved the survival chances of very small babies. Because more premature infants survive, ROP has become more common. Symptoms Premature infants do not have symptoms.
External signs develop only after disease has become severe or progressed to retianl detachmetns.
Timely detection of ROP depends upon examination by an ophthalmologist experienced in the examination of premature infants. Treatment Most babies' eyes with ROP do well without any treatment. The pen-like tip of the cryotherapy instrument, a cryoprobe, can briefly freeze side areas of the retina through the outer wall of the eye. Laser photocoagulation surgery may also be used to treat the side areas of the retina. It may be necessary for your ophthalmologist to examine a baby frequently while the infant is in the NICU or nursery before a treatment can be recommended.