Ever wonder what your new-born is thinking when he is just looking deep into your eyes? Here’s what we think a premature baby (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) might have to say to his mother about Retinopathy of Prematurity:
Hey Ma,
Did I just spring a surprise on you when I decided to be born so much before my time? I just couldn’t wait to be with you, to see all these wonderful people that you tell me about and to hear better the songs you hum to me!
Ma, thank you for taking such good care of me. The constant feeds and diaper changes must be so exhausting. Trust me, sometimes even I don’t know why my tummy suddenly needs a refill or needs emptying! Don’t worry about me being so tiny now. With a little help I will catch up with everyone else very soon.
Ma, Lest You Forget:
Ma, you have been doing a great job with me. Yet, there’s something I want to remind you, lest you forget. My eyes began to develop when we were at the 16th week landmark. The last 12 weeks are apparently the most important period when my eyes are supposed to develop. (At least, that’s what the baby girl who was in the incubator next to me when we were in the NICU, said.) She was telling me how the blood vessels of my retina (tissue inside my eye) provide oxygen and nutrients.
Because I was Born Too Early:
Because I was born too early, the blood vessels of my retina may not be able to grow correctly or may even stop growing. Distress signals for nourishment may be sent out which can cause the growth of abnormal blood vessels. These fragile new blood vessels can leak causing bleeding in my eye! If this triggers scar tissue to form, the scars may later shrink and pull the retina of the back of my eye! Did you know that this condition called Retinopathy of Prematurity could leave me permanently blind Ma?!!
When I Grow Up:
Ma, even if I am not left permanently blind, retinopathy of prematurity could cause higher chances of developing eye conditions. Near sightedness, squint, lazy eye, glaucoma or retinal detachment are some eye conditions that Retinopathy of Prematurity can trigger when I grow up.
Before Day 30:
Ma, that baby girl was telling me how she had overheard her doctor telling her parents that all premature babies at risk for retinopathy of prematurity should be screened before Day 30. For me, isn’t that two days from now Ma? Will you talk to Papa about this? I am really waiting to see so much – the park where you would go for walks, Dadi’s pretty rangolis that you rave about…
Dr. Prachi Agashe is a Paediatric Ophthalmologist at Agashe Hospital who has been specially trained in Retinopathy of Prematurity. Dr. Prachi Agashe can be consulted at Agashe Paediatric SuperSpeciality Care, Kurla in Mumbai. Or She can be reached by calling 022 42435000 or emailing her at contactus@agashehospital.com or clicking here.
