ROP - anyone any experience?

[jerin]

My DD - 8 weeks - born at 30 weeks has just been referred to eye specialist for ROP. I wasnt given any information and appointment isnt til end of next week. Can anyone reassure me please............

Does she have RPO or is she being referred for screening. There is a HUGE difference?

My DTDs were born at 27wks and were screened every 2 weeks to about term + 4 corrected for ROP.

no direct experience of this but pretty sure JohnWorf's DD had ROP. Will FB her and direct her on to this thread x

Hi jerin. My LO had ROP. She was born at 24 weeks +3. She had ROP screening every 2 weeks from 28 weeks (gestation). She ended up going from a stage 1 in one eye at 28 weeks to stage 3 in both eyes with her left eye showing signs of the retina detaching. She had the laser eye surgery the following day as an emergency.

You really should have been briefed on what ROP is, what they look for and what can happen. You should ask your SCBU if they've not given you at least a leaflet. Btw BLISS do a leaflet on this that I think you can download on their website but I'm not 100% on that one

The examination is not pleasant to watch so I never watched. I'd stand outside wringing my hands. It is uncomfortable for the baby, I won't lie to you. They'll put drops in for the hour before the exam at intervals of 15 minutes. These are a local anaesthetic and one for dilating the pupil so the opthamologist can see baby's retina clearly. The local anaesthetic can make their heart rate go a bit all over the place so they'll be keeping an eye on this, especially if your baby is on oxygen or CPAP as Katherine was at the time.

Not all babies do go on from a stage 1 but they'll be making sure that it doesn't progress. Progression past a stage 3 can be irreversible and lead to blindness. Katherine does have some scarring from her operation and we're under Manchester Eye Hospital as she'll probably need glasses soon. No biggy really given her extreme premminess

Hope that you're a bit more in the know as to what is going on. Just let me know if not or you're not clear on anything.

JW xxx

Thank you all - I did read but didnt get a chance to reply. DD has been given the all clear for ROP - phew...