Doctors from Visakhapatnam-based LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) have cautioned parents about Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a sight-threatening condition affecting premature babies and those with low birth weight.It is a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness and results from incomplete development of retinal blood vessels, they said.As per the doctors, LVPEI’s published data shows that there has been a 10-fold increase in the need for ROP services in their paediatric ophthalmology population over the last decade.All infants born before 34 weeks of gestation or with birth weight of less than two kgs should have a comprehensive eye check-up by a trained ophthalmologist, within 20-30 days of birth. Infants born after 34 weeks or with a birth weight of over two kgs and an unstable clinical course should also be checked to rule out ROP.Early detection and treatment, involving laser surgery or anti-VEGF injections, halts progression and ensures the infant’s vision is saved, they said. Published - August 30, 2026 09:21 pm IST