Premature babies in NSW will now have access to digital telemedicine screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) thanks to a grant from the Humpty Dumpty Foundation.
The severe sight-threatening condition is reported to impact three out of every four babies born before 32 weeks gestation or weighing less than 1250 g.
Due to an increase in the survival rate of very premature babies, the incidence of ROP is increasing.
Dr Jeremy Smith, paediatric ophthalmologist, welcomed the grant that RANZCO announced in a statement.
“Thanks to funding support from the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, by the end of 2025 premature babies will have access to digital telemedicine screening in 18 Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) across NSW,” he said.
“[These] will allow for more efficient, timely and safe ROP screening of babies. Installing wide-field digital retinal cameras will allow effective and accurate screening to detect ROP at an early stage of disease where prompt intervention is highly effective in preventing blindness. Screening premature babies as early as possible for ROP will mean treatments can start to preserve as much of their sight as possible.”
Dr Srini Bolisetty, head neonatal medicine at the Royal Hospital for Women, also acknowledged the positive impact on baby’s vision.
“No baby born in Australia today should experience preventable vision loss.
“We are grateful to the Humpty Dumpty Foundation for ensuring premature babies born in NSW can now access this important screening tool and be given the opportunity to maximise their visual potential.”
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