45% of 1M Infants Vulnerable to Blindness in Pakistan: Al-Shifa

News Desk 

Rawalpindi: The Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital has raised concerns over a growing risk of blindness among Pakistan’s premature infants, highlighting Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) as a critical health issue. 

Around one million babies are born prematurely in the country each year, with up to 45 per cent potentially developing ROP, a retinal disorder that can lead to permanent blindness if not detected and treated early.

The hospital recently treated seven-month-old twins, Ibrahim and Ismail, who were diagnosed with ROP shortly after birth. 

Prompt intervention by the hospital’s paediatric ophthalmology team prevented irreversible damage, and the twins continue to attend regular follow-ups.

Dr Amjad, a paediatric ophthalmology specialist at Al-Shifa, said the increased survival of premature infants has contributed to the rising number at risk. 

“Retinal blood vessels normally complete development at full-term birth, but premature delivery disrupts this process, leading to abnormal vessel growth that can damage the retina,” he explained.

Since the launch of a dedicated ROP programme in March 2013, the trust has treated approximately 19,000 premature infants, offering specialised care, advanced equipment, and expert monitoring. 

Infants weighing less than 1.5 kilograms at birth remain at highest risk, while carefully controlled oxygen therapy has been shown to reduce advanced ROP incidence.

Despite these efforts, Dr Amjad urged urgent government action, stressing the need to make retinal screening mandatory for all preterm babies and to expand ROP-capable facilities beyond the few currently available.

The hospital has set up partnerships with multiple healthcare units to provide screening, transportation, and surgery for high-risk newborns. 

Tele-ophthalmology links with remote and even overseas units enable early diagnosis and specialist guidance free of charge, but experts warn that without broader nationwide adoption, many at-risk infants may still face preventable blindness.