Retinopathy of Prematurity

What is Retinopathy Of Prematurity (ROP)?

According to the National Institutes of Health, some 14,000-16,000 infants are affected by Retinopathy of Prematurity each year. At least several hundred will be blinded as a result of the condition. The disorder almost exclusively affects babies born prior to 32 weeks gestation and weighing less than three pounds.

Under normal circumstances, retinal development begins at about 3 months gestation and ends just prior to birth. However, this development is interrupted in very premature infants. In such cases, the blood vessels of the retina can stop growing entirely, or they may begin growing toward the center of the eye rather than lining the retinal bed. If premature babies are not carefully monitored for Retinopathy of Prematurity, the fragile blood vessels can leak, causing bleeding in the eye. This can result in scarring, retinal detachment and blindness.

Stages of Retinopathy Of Prematurity

Retinopathy of Prematurity develops in five stages:

  • Stage I: Mildly abnormal blood vessel growth.
  • Stage II: Blood vessel growth is moderately abnormal.
  • Stage III: Severely abnormal blood vessel growth.
  • Stage IV: Partially detached retina and severely abnormal blood vessel growth.
  • Stage V: Total retinal detachment

The stage at which Retinopathy of Prematurity is diagnosed will have a significant impact on prognosis and treatment. For this reason frequent monitoring of a premature baby by an ophthalmologist who can identify each stage of the disorder is a necessity. If at-risk infants are properly monitored and treated, blindness and other complications associated with Retinopathy of Prematurity should never occur.

How Retinopathy Of Prematurity is Caused By Medical Malpractice

Did your baby develop Retinopathy of Prematurity due to medical malpractice? Retinopathy of Prematurity, also known as retrolental fibroplasia, is an extremely common disorder in premature and low birth weight infants. But if diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, 95% of the children affected can be expected to have normal or near-normal vision. Unfortunately, healthcare professionals frequently fail to recognize and treat Retinopathy of Prematurity, leaving far too many babies blinded for life.

The Retinopathy of Prematurity lawsuit lawyers at Wright & Schulte LLC understand how devastating this disorder is when a doctor fails to diagnosis it in a timely manner. If your child’s blindness was the result of a preventable birth injury or medical malpractice, they’ll work to make sure those responsible are held accountable, and to ensure that your family has access to the type compensation needed to meet your child’s physical, educational and emotional needs due to this devastating injury. When you choose to retain one of our experienced and aggressive Retinopathy of Prematurity lawyers, you will have tough advocate fighting for you and your baby in and out of the courtroom. To speak with one of our experienced Retinopathy of Prematurity lawyers attorneys about the legal options open to you including a Retinopathy of Prematurity lawsuit, we urge you to contact Wright & Schulte LLC today.

Legal Help For Infants And Families Affected By Retinopathy Of Prematurity And Filing A Retinopathy Of Prematurity Lawsuit

If your baby’s doctors failed to timely diagnose or treat Retinopathy of Prematurity, and your child is now struggling with impaired vision or total blindness, there is help available. The compassionate and aggressive Retinopathy of Prematurity lawsuit lawyers at Wright & Schulte LLC are ready to be a voice for your family during this difficult time. It costs nothing to talk to one of our attorneys, and you’ll be under no obligation. Simply fill out our online form, or call 937-222-7474 to schedule your free Retinopathy of Prematurity Lawsuit consultation today.

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