IGMH Introduces Retina Laser Treatment for Premature Infants
Photo: Ibrahim Haleem via FB
Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) has introduced retina laser treatment for premature infants, marking a significant step in paediatric eye care aimed at preventing blindness caused by retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
ROP is a serious eye disorder that primarily affects infants born before 32 weeks of gestation or weighing less than 1,500 grams. The condition develops when abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina due to incomplete vascular development, which can lead to scarring and retinal detachment if left untreated.
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The newly introduced laser therapy at IGMH follows the global standard for treating type 1 ROP. The procedure uses laser photocoagulation on the peripheral avascular retina to shrink abnormal blood vessels and prevent further growth. It is minimally invasive, usually performed under topical anaesthesia, and aims to preserve central vision while reducing long-term complications.
The hospital’s CEO, Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, highlighted that the service will be provided without barriers to children in need and expressed gratitude to the doctors and nurses of IGMH’s Ophthalmology Department for their role in making the treatment available locally. The initiative is expected to reduce the need for overseas treatment and ensure timely intervention for affected infants.
With the introduction of this service, IGMH joins EyeCare Hospital, which began offering ROP laser treatment in late 2023, in expanding access to specialised neonatal eye care in the Maldives.
