Medical seminar: Premature babies with weak retina prone to blindness

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a disease affecting premature and under weight babies born before the date of delivery who are placed in incubators for supplemental oxygen.

Medical professionals were speaking on ROP at a seminar at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital in Rawalpindi on Sunday, stated a press release.

Speakers said premature and underweight babies have weak retinas that may lead to blindness if not treated timely, adding that showing these children to ophthalmologists may avoid lifelong blindness and disability.

Guest speaker Dr Umer Khan Mian from USA highlighted the concept of Pakistan Retinopathy of Prematurity Educational and Research Alliance (PROPERA) for the first time in Islamabad.

Later, screening data of ROP from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) was presented by Dr Sorath N Siddiqui. Dr Shireen Gul, a pediatrician from PIMS, discussed protocol for oxygen therapy at the capital’s largest public hospital.

The screening data of ROP from Military Hospital, Combined Military Hospital and Fauji Foundation Hospital was presented by Dr Saemah Nuzhat Zaffar of Al Shifa Eye Hospital.

Later, Dr Shahid Nazir, a neonatologist from Shifa International Hospital talked about the management protocol for premises at Shifa hospital.

Several doctors from Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Islamic International Medical College, Fauji Foundation Hospital Pakistan-Fred Hollows Foundation, Holy Family Hospital participated in the discussion through video links.

Moreover, doctors from Sukkur, Kohat, Muzaffarabad and Lahore also participated in the seminar.

Renowned neonatologists and ophthalmologists shared their views to formulate ROP screening guidelines for Pakistan and start ROP screening services at Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and eye clinics at various hospitals.

The meeting concluded with the achievement of setting up a coordination team of pphthalmologists and neonatologists from each hospital that participated who will meet monthly to discuss ways to further their cause.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2014.