Can retinal lesions in premature infants be cured?

Oct 12, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng

Introduction

Whether retinal diseases in premature infants can be cured depends on the severity of the condition. If detected early, such retinal abnormalities can generally be successfully treated with prompt and active medical intervention. However, if treatment is not administered after diagnosis and the condition progresses to retinal detachment, the recovery of vision through treatment will likely be unsatisfactory.

Retinal diseases in premature infants may not always be curable, and the outcome depends on the severity of the condition.

1. Potentially curable

If retinal disease is detected at an early stage, even though obvious symptoms have appeared, the damage is usually not severe. With prompt and active treatment under a doctor's guidance, the condition can generally be cured without affecting normal vision. However, after early treatment, conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (crossed eyes) might still occur; therefore, regular follow-up eye examinations at a hospital are necessary.

2. Difficult to cure

If retinal disease in a premature infant is left untreated, it may progress to retinal detachment. In such cases, treatment outcomes for vision recovery are often unsatisfactory. In severe cases, even surgical intervention may fail to restore vision, and complications such as eyeball atrophy may develop, resulting in a poor prognosis.

When retinal abnormalities are detected in premature infants, it is recommended to seek timely treatment at a qualified medical institution, where specialized physicians can provide appropriate therapies such as cryotherapy or scleral buckling.

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