Day 41 - First Eye Exam

Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 

5 weeks old
Gestational Age: 31 weeks + 5 days

James had his first eye exam this morning called a ROP test (Retinopathy of Prematurity). He is now sleeping like a baby and high-stating. 👶🏻💤

In babies born early, normal retinal vessel growth may be disrupted and abnormal vessels can develop. This can cause leaking and bleeding into the eye. ROP has no signs or symptoms when it first develops in a newborn. The only way to detect it is through an eye exam by an ophthalmologist. 👀

Although a high percentage of examined babies will show some degree of ROP most will not require treatment. Nevertheless, premature babies require lifelong followed by an ophthalmologist because of their increased risk for eye misalignment, amblyopia, and the need for glasses to develop notmal vision.

Two factors influence vision loss from ROP: the amount of retina that is underdeveloped of the time of birth and the severity of the disease. The redness divided into Zones 1, 2, and 3, and the severity of ROP is created as stage 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.

Today James's results from the ROP test are Stage 1, Zone 2. The first stage of ROP occurs when the blood vessels stop growing and form a line that separates normal from pre-mature retina. He will get tested again in 2 weeks.

You'll see he now has a new teal ET (endotracheal) tube holder on his cheeks. He needed to upgrade to a bigger size because he is growing. 📈 This is how he gets his oxygen.

Weighed in tonight at 1230g. FIO2 at 45. 

James also had a two-for ... two poops back to back! 💩 Mom changed a diaper filled with poop, then as we were finishing up hands on, “do you smell that? 🤢 I think he pooped again!” Yes indeed, our baby James did poop again, perfectly executing a two-for. 😊