When a baby is born prematurely, blood vessels in the eyes are not mature either. Because the growth factors and oxygen outside the womb vs inside are different, the normal blood vessels can stop growing, and abnormal vessels can take over. If not treated, this will result in blindness. Treatment can be with an injection of medicine in the eye or laser eye surgery. All infants below a certain gestation age and birthweight are screened for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Dr. Morrison is an expert in ROP care having developed new technologies for screening and treatment.
Law JC, Recchia FM, Morrison D, Estes R. Intravitreal bevacizumab as adjuctive treatment for retinopathy of prematurity. J AAPOS 2010; 14:6-10.
Ocular complications following treatment in the Postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity (G-ROP) Study. Morrison D, Shaffer J, Ying GS, Binenbaum G; G-ROP Study Group. J AAPOS. 2018 Apr;22(2):128-133. doi: 10.1016/j.jaapos.2017.12.005. Epub 2018 Mar 14.
