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Retinopathy of prematurity, often simply referred to as ROP, is an eye condition that can happen when your baby is born too early. It affects the retina, which is the part of the eye that helps your baby see by sending images to the brain. In the last weeks of pregnancy, the blood vessels and neural cells in the retina are still growing, so if your baby is born very early, this growth can be interrupted. Babies born before 31 weeks of pregnancy or weighing less than 1,250 grams have the highest risk of ROP.
All babies born preterm, normally before 32 weeks need regular eye checks to help protect their vision. The start of eye checks depends on the level of neonatal care. Regular eye checks are very important because ROP can sometimes get better on its own, but if your baby needs treatment, finding it early gives them the best chance for healthy vision.
These eye checks are done by a special eye doctor, called an ophthalmologist, who looks closely at the back of your baby’s eyes. Before the exam, your baby will get eye drops to widen the black center of the eye, called the pupil, so the doctor can see the retina⍰ clearly with a special lens or camera.
The role of fatty acids during pregnancy
During the last three months of pregnancy, your baby’s brain, eyes, muscles, and body fat are growing very quickly. To support this growth, your baby needs special omega fats called ARA⍰ and DHA⍰. The mother’s body sends these fats through the placenta⍰ to the baby, helping the baby’s eyes, including the retina, but also the brain, muscles, and body fat grow. DHA is especially important for the eyes and brain, while ARA helps with growth and building healthy cells.
During pregnancy, the placenta helps make sure the baby receives these important fats, and eating a varied diet with safe sources of DHA can support this process. Supplements may be helpful in some cases, but they should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Fatty acids that reduce the risk of severe ROP for preterm babies
Babies born too early miss out on many of the important fats, including DHA and ARA, that they would normally get from their mother during the last months of pregnancy. Because they are born early, they may also have less body fat to store these nutrients and may not absorb them well after birth. This is important because DHA and ARA help the baby’s eyes grow, and not having enough may raise the risk of ROP⍰. Low levels of these important fats can be improved by giving preterm babies the right balance of DHA and ARA as a supplement after birth, often as part of their regular feeding with breast milk, donor milk, fortified⍰ milk, or preterm formula⍰. This special nutrition does not replace milk but adds extra important fats to help give babies what they may have missed by being born early.
Follow-up appointments
After your baby leaves the hospital, it is very important to keep all follow-up eye exams and not miss any appointments. If your baby was born very early or had treatment for ROP, such as laser therapy or injections, regular eye checks may still be needed as your child grows, even into adulthood. It is normal to feel worried, so bring your questions to each visit and ask the doctor to explain what they find and what it means for your baby’s vision.
Content about Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) on this page was developed with the support of Neobiomics.
GFCNI
Global Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants
GFCNI works to improve newborn health by advocating for high-quality, accessible, and equitable care, long-term follow-up, and continuing care for both mother and infant in each region of the world.
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