Our preemie was checked for ROP: Retinopathy of Prematurity, Twice

Our preemie was checked for ROP:  Retinopathy of prematurity (also called ROP) is an eye disease that affects many premature babies. A premature baby is one who is born too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. 

ROP happens when a baby’s retinas don’t fully develop. The retina is the nerve tissue that lines the back of the eye. ROP usually affects both eyes.  

Retinopathy of Prematurity Screenings

As a preemie, ongoing health concerns sometimes come with the territory. One of those concerns is our premature baby's eyes.

My preemie was born at 32 weeks gestation, She was screened for ROP shortly after birth which is protocol for all preemies. 

(Preemies shortly after birth are given many tests to check for proper growth like blood tests, CT’s, and other common health checks. This is nerve wracking but happens so fast after birth it any and all initial tests are a whirlwind.) 

In this blog post, let's cover Kaylee’s ROP test.

ROP is: Retinopathy of prematurity, an eye disease that affects many premature babies. ROP is one of the most common causes of vision loss in children. It can lead to lifelong vision problems and blindness.

The first ROP screen was done shortly after Kaylee’s emergency birth, the second ROP screen was the week we came home from the NICU. 

NOTE: We were responsible for taking her to an ophthalmologist for her second ROP screening 

WHY: Preemies are screened again 4 weeks after birth. She would have been screened for the second time in the NICU, but lucky for us we were discharged early and that happened to be the same week her ROP was due- she turned 4 weeks (35 weeks gestational age)

An eye appointment for our preemie baby? 

I was thankful for this opportunity to take her to this appointment and also terrified. 

What we learned: (Source www.marchofdimes.org)

-ROP happens when a baby’s retinas don’t fully develop. 

ROP is a higher risk to premature babies. Early delivery disrupts normal blood vessel growth and the flow of oxygen is altered.

We were told, “The smaller a baby is at birth, the more likely that baby is to develop ROP” 

Babies who weigh less than 3 pounds at birth are more likely to have ROP than babies who weigh more at birth. 

Kaylee was born 2 pounds 11 ounces and I was very concerned she may have this condition. She does not have ROP and I am thankful. 

When do you test for ROP?

Initial screenings are at 31 weeks gestational age in infants or less at birth, and again at four weeks' chronological age in infants with gestational ages of 27 weeks or more at birth by an ophthalmologist skilled in the detection of ROP.

 Kaylee’s exam showed the blood vessels in both retinas have developed normally, and she did not need a follow up exam.

Now I’ll share my thoughts: 

The screening for ROP is a bit uncomfortable to watch and I was NOT prepared for it even though they talked through what was about to happen.. I don’t think anything can really make one prepared for this unless perhaps I watched a YouTube video explainer but maybe that would have freaked me out more.

To me it was uncomfortable to experience my tiny baby having this eye check but I am SO glad we of course were there with her for this. 

-First they put eye drops in her eyes. 

-The ophthalmologist took an eye instrument and lifted both eyelids, top and bottom. 

It looked painful, and strange to see my baby without eyelids for a split second while she let out a shrill cry..but it was over really before it began. 

Our ophthalmologist was super sweet and even gave us a heads up to look away but I definitely watched every second. To my understanding, in some exams they take photographs of the eye and there are different stages of ROP.  The site I did extensive reading on and continue to read is (www.marchofdimes.org)

I am thankful for our amazing doctors and the awareness of ROP I have read. The developing preemie eye is amazing, I love learning about how Kaylee’s eyes are growing and a big surprise we are waiting for is what eye color she will have. Right now she is blue.. But they could turn color. Nick’s eyes are brown, we have a long family line of green or blue eyes. Only time will tell! Either way, no matter what color I am so excited for what Kaylee Jane will see and experience in life. She was born super early but we try to keep positive and thankful God gave us a “jumpstart” so to speak of life with our preemie Kaylee Jane. 

Thanks for reading and keeping up with us

XO

Sarah