Retinopathy of Prematurity Detection and Treatment

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a condition associated with  abnormal retinal vascular development in babies born at or before 30 weeks of gestation.

Advanced stages of ROP may require treatment, although this is not always the case. Milder stages are very common, and most affected newborns will recover completely. However, if advanced cases remain untreated, it can lead to blindness.

The most effective method of detecting ROP in premature infants is through regular screening, and this should continue until the retina has fully vascularised.

Babies who are born prematurely or those who develop any stage of ROP can develop other eye conditions like strabismus, amblyopia or refractive errors later in life. Therefore,  they should be assessed regularly by a paediatric ophthalmologist to monitor the potential development of these conditions after they turn one.

Dr. Swati Sinkar

Dr. Swati Sinkar is a dedicated and experienced General Ophthalmologist with a special interest in cataract surgery, Pterygium surgery, eyelid malpositions, glaucoma treatment, Macular degeneration treatment, and paediatric ophthalmic conditions. She has been extensively trained in Australia and overseas and was awarded a Fellowship from RANZCO in 2015. Passionate about preventing paediatric blindness, she established neonatal screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity in Northern Adelaide at Lyell McEwin Hospital. Dr. Sinkar mentors trainees, teaches internationally, and values evidence-based medicine, with numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals. Outside work, she enjoys cooking, travel, cricket, and badminton.