Babies who are born weighing less than 1200 grams or born before 31 weeks gestation are at an increased risk of developing Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). It has to do with how blood vessels grow along the retina. When they begin to grow abnormally, they have ROP. When those vessels become dilated and twisted, they have ROP with "Plus Disease" and need treatment because without treatment, those vessels can cause retinal detachment which means blindness.
So I bring frustrating news.
The boys have been getting eye exams once a week to watch for this. Last week, they had "mild ROP". This week they have Stage II with "some Stage III" (the stages are explained in the link I posted above). They don't have Plus Disease so they're not treating it yet. And at this stage, it could stop progressing and the boys go on to develop normal vision. Or, next week they may need eye surgery. Or a medication injected into their eyes.
It's more waiting and hand wringing for me, another hurdle for them and today I've kind of reached a limit with it. My frustration is making my head throb and I'm quite short tempered today.
I really want to have two healthy happy little boys that simply need to eat, grow and get fat little baby legs.
Maybe we'll get lucky and their ROP will stop progressing. If you could send up a prayer for them...
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