ROP Screening in Newborns: What Every NICU Parent in Chandigarh Should Ask

If your baby has been born prematurely and is receiving NICU care, there is a vision-threatening condition you need to know about: Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). It can progress rapidly and, if undetected, lead to permanent blindness. ROP blindness is largely preventable — but only if screening happens on time.

What Is Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)?

In the womb, blood vessels that supply the retina grow steadily from the centre outward — a process only complete at around 40 weeks gestation (full term). When a baby is born prematurely, this growth is interrupted. The incomplete vessels may then grow abnormally — branching in the wrong directions, leaking, and forming scar tissue that can pull the retina away from the back of the eye.

Mild ROP often resolves on its own. Severe ROP, if untreated, causes retinal detachment and permanent blindness. The problem is that early mild and severe cases look very similar — which is why all at-risk babies must be screened, not just those who appear to have vision problems.

Which Babies Need ROP Screening?

Indian guidelines recommend screening for:

• All babies born at or before 34 weeks of gestation
• All babies with birth weight of 2,000 grams or less
• Babies between 34–36 weeks gestation who had an unstable neonatal course (respiratory distress, sepsis, blood transfusions, prolonged supplemental oxygen)

If you are unsure whether your baby qualifies, ask the neonatologist or paediatrician directly. If in doubt — screen.

When Must Screening Begin?

The first ROP examination should take place at 4 weeks after birth or at 31 weeks of corrected gestational age, whichever comes later. After that, the frequency of follow-up depends entirely on what is found in the first examination — ranging from weekly monitoring to every 2–3 weeks.

What Does ROP Screening Involve?

ROP screening is performed by a trained ophthalmologist using specialised equipment. At Atmos Healthcare, all ROP examinations and treatments are performed by Dr. Neha Khanna, a certified ROP specialist.

• Pupil dilation with special weak eye drops appropriate for infants
• Examination using an indirect ophthalmoscope and scleral depressor to visualise the peripheral retina
• The examination takes 5–10 minutes and, while briefly uncomfortable, is completely safe
• Results are documented and classified using international ROP staging guidelines

Treatment If ROP Is Found

Not all ROP requires treatment — mild cases are monitored and often regress naturally. Treatment is needed when ROP reaches threshold or Type 1 criteria.

• Laser photocoagulation — the traditional gold standard. Laser is applied to the peripheral avascular retina to stop abnormal vessel growth. Highly effective when done at the right stage.
• Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections — increasingly used for aggressive or posterior ROP. A tiny injection into the eye blocks the growth signal for abnormal vessels.
• Vitreoretinal surgery — for advanced cases where detachment has already begun. Performed by Dr. Neha Khanna at Atmos.

Atmos Healthcare: Eye and Neonatal Care Under One Roof

Atmos Healthcare in Zirakpur is uniquely positioned to support premature babies and their families. Dr. Jaswinder Saini (Paediatrician & Neonatologist, 24 years' experience) and Dr. Neha Khanna (Vitreoretina Surgeon & ROP Specialist) practice from the same facility — making coordinated neonatal and ophthalmology care seamless for families who need both specialists at the same time.

If your baby is in or has been discharged from a NICU in Chandigarh, Mohali, Zirakpur, or the surrounding region and has not yet been screened for ROP, please call us today.