(Press Release)
The Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO) join in observing World Prematurity Day through the roll-out of their nationwide advocacy campaign, “Silip Bulilit”. The program aims to help reduce the number of blind babies resulting from “Retinopathy of Prematurity” (ROP), a condition that robs premature babies of their vision.
World Prematurity Day is observed on November 17 each year since 2011 to raise awareness of preterm babies and the concerns of premature babies and their families worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 15 million babies are born preterm each year, accounting for about one in ten of all babies born worldwide.
“ROP is an eye disease that occurs in premature infants,” explains Dr. Havey Uy, president of PAO. “It is potentially blinding, but preventable with timely screening and management.”
Not all premature babies will develop ROP. However, a few can deteriorate into the late visually debilitating stages of ROP and will need treatment.
Infants at risk should be referred by the neonatologist and/or pediatrician to ophthalmologist for screening and proper treatment or surgery depending on the ROP stage and situation of the eye.
Statistics show that 50,000 infants worldwide are blinded by ROP every year. In the Philippines, ROP strikes at least 10% of all premature births and causes irreversible blindness if untreated.
“The key is early detection,” stresses Dr. Uy. “We recommend that babies born less than 35 weeks and with birth weight less than 2000 grams should undergo ROP screening.”
As such, PAO recently launched “Silip Bulilit” to help create awareness of ROP and encourage families, health professionals, hospitals, parent groups, and other groups involved in preterm birth and childcare to seek professional assistance from ophthalmologist for sight-saving intervention.
“Since ROP screening is not included in the newborn screening program of the government, we hope ‘Silip Bulilit’ will fill in the gap to ensure the total well-being of every Filipino child.” said Dr. Uy.
“Silip Bulilit” is in partnership with Filipino-American rapper, Apl de Ap, best known as a member of the Grammy Award-winning group The Black Eyed Peas. Through his Campaign for Filipino Children, Apl.de.Ap Foundation International and WesternUnion.com, a strong collaboration will be forged to develop information and promotion programs that will help create awareness of the importance of vision screening in children especially among premature babies and generate resources for ROP screening.
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