Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) also known as retrolental fibroplasia (RLF) and Terry syndrome, is an eye disease in some premature babies born before 31 weeks. (A full-term pregnancy is about 38–42 weeks.) It is a problem that affects the tissue at the back of the eye called the retina. The retina senses light and sends signals to the brain so you can see. With ROP, unwanted blood vessels grow on the baby’s retina. These blood vessels can cause serious eye and vision problems later.
At first, an ophthalmologist may monitor RLF to see if it goes away on its own. If abnormal blood vessels continue to grow, the infant’s eyes must be treated.
As babies with Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) grow, they nearsighted, or having a detached retina, lazy eye or misaligned eyes. It also increases the risk of having glaucoma.