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A newborn laying in a crib.
Researchers at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) say a study has found that rising survival rates among extremely low-birth-weight babies are driving an increase in a blinding eye disease called Retinopathy of Prematurity (R.O.P).
The study shows that tiny infants are the most at risk. Researchers also found that a severe stomach infection is another major factor linked to R.O.P.
They warn that as neonatal care improves and more premature babies survive, screening and treatment services must keep up to prevent avoidable childhood blindness.
The study highlights the urgent need to strengthen newborn eye-care programmes.
