Radio
Early Treatment for Vision Problem in Premature Infants Spares Sight
Source: NBN / CP RadioWire
Dec 9, 2003, 10:46

Researchers have discovered that early treatment for a potentially blinding eye disease in low birthweight premature infants may help prevent life-long vision impairment. The same research has also led to revised standards for identifying premature infants who are most likely to benefit from early treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity.  Doctor William Good, study chair:

�What the new study and new findings show is that in some babies, treating the disease at an earlier point in its process results in a greater chance of the baby's vision being spared.  The new study also shows another very important finding and that is - that there are some babies who actually do not need any surgical treatment.  This finding is important because we will be able to spare a significant number of babies an unnecessary surgical treatment.� 

The study was sponsored by the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health.  The findings will appear in the December issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.  R-O-P is one of the leading causes of severe vision loss in infants and young children worldwide.