What is Retinopathy Of Prematurity (ROP)?
Each year, an estimated 14,000–16,000 infants develop Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), and several hundred are blinded by it (NIH). ROP almost exclusively affects babies born before 32 weeks of gestation or weighing under three pounds. In a full‑term pregnancy, retinal blood vessels begin forming around 12–16 weeks and complete development just before birth. In very premature infants, however, this process is interrupted: retinal vessels may stop growing altogether or grow inward toward the eye’s center instead of across the retinal surface. If these fragile vessels leak, bleeding can cause scarring, retinal detachment, and eventual blindness—unless ROP is caught and treated early.
Stages of Retinopathy Of Prematurity
Retinopathy of Prematurity develops in five stages:
- Stage I: Mildly abnormal blood vessel growth.
- Stage II: Blood vessel growth is moderately abnormal.
- Stage III: Severely abnormal blood vessel growth.
- Stage IV: Partially detached retina and severely abnormal blood vessel growth.
- Stage V: Total retinal detachment
The stage at which Retinopathy of Prematurity is diagnosed will have a significant impact on prognosis and treatment. For this reason frequent monitoring of a premature baby by an ophthalmologist who can identify each stage of the disorder is a necessity. If at-risk infants are properly monitored and treated, blindness and other complications associated with Retinopathy of Prematurity should never occur.
How Retinopathy Of Prematurity is Caused By Medical Malpractice
Retinopathy of Prematurity—also called retrolental fibroplasia—is common in preterm, low‑birth‑weight infants. Yet with timely diagnosis and treatment, about 95% of affected children can achieve normal or near‑normal vision. Unfortunately, delayed or missed ROP screenings by healthcare providers leave too many babies blind.
At Attorney Michael Wright our ROP attorneys in Dayton understand the lifelong impact of preventable blindness. If your child’s ROP went undiagnosed or untreated due to medical negligence, we will hold the responsible professionals accountable and pursue the compensation your family needs for ongoing medical care, educational support, and emotional services. When you choose our experienced team, you gain a dedicated advocate who will fight for your child’s rights in and out of the courtroom.
Legal Help For Infants And Families Affected By Retinopathy Of Prematurity
If your infant’s doctors failed to diagnose or treat ROP in time, and your child now faces impaired vision or total blindness, please know help is available. Attorney Michael Wright provides:
- Free, no‑obligation consultations
- Compassionate, aggressive representation
- Experience with complex birth‑injury claims
There’s no cost to speak with one of our Dayton, Ohio ROP lawyers, and you won’t pay legal fees unless we secure a recovery for your family. To schedule your free Retinopathy of Prematurity lawsuit evaluation, fill out our online form or call us at (937) 222‑7477 today.
Attorney Michael Wright
- (937) 222-7477 (Call or Text)
- (937) 222-7911 (Fax)
- 130 W. Second St. Suite 1600 Dayton, OH 45402