Soroptimist begins campaign to prevent blindness in premature babies

A non-profit organization, Soroptimist International Club, Lekki, Lagos has launched a campaign to prevent blindness in premature babies through early screening, diagnosis, and treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a condition that can lead to lifelong vision loss.

The initiative was announced during the installation ceremony of Dr Beatrice Ezenwa, a Consultant Neonatologist and Pediatrician at the College of Medicine, LUTH, as the club’s third president.

The event also featured a lecture by Ezenwa on ROP, where she emphasised the urgent need for intervention to protect premature infants from vision loss. In her acceptance speech, Ezenwa reaffirmed her commitment to building on the club’s legacy by prioritising accessible healthcare, expanding outreach efforts, and advocating gender equality and social justice.

She said her tenure would focus on ensuring that premature infants receive timely eye screenings and treatment to prevent blindness caused by ROP. “Our goal is to offer at least 30 premature infants diagnostic screening within my tenure to detect, treat, and prevent blindness from Retinopathy of Prematurity,” she stated.

She emphasised that as preterm care improves, ROP cases are rising, making early screening and prompt treatment essential to preventing lifelong blindness.
Ezenwa outlined the major risk factors for ROP, including premature birth, low birth weight (less than 1.5kg), oxygen therapy, and family history. She highlighted the importance of early detection, as the condition typically presents no early warning symptoms.

“Regular eye exams for all at-risk premature infants, controlled oxygen therapy, and proper neonatal care are crucial preventive measures,” she noted. She explained that laser surgery, cryotherapy, anti-VEGF injections, and vitrectomy are effective interventions for preventing vision loss. However, Ezenwa reiterated that early detection remains the most crucial factor in preventing blindness.

“We plan to ensure that all at-risk premature infants receive regular eye exams and immediate treatment, without financial constraints being a barrier. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve outcomes and prevent permanent blindness,” she added.

As part of her presidency, Ezenwa pledged to collaborate with healthcare professionals and stakeholders to implement the project effectively, ensuring that premature infants receive the necessary medical attention.

She called on members and the broader community to support the initiative, emphasising that it aligns with the club’s mission to improve healthcare access and empower women and children.