Prevent Blindness has declared February 24 to March 2, 2025, as the second annual Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Awareness Week. The initiative supports the comprehensive “Prevent Blindness ROP Education and Support Program,” which is designed to provide education and support for families of children with ROP, promote the role of early intervention programs for these children, and explain how allied healthcare professionals assist in continuity of care.

During the awareness week, Prevent Blindness said in a press release that the organization will be sharing a variety of free educational resources to the public and professionals, including updated fact sheets, web pages, social media graphics in English and Spanish, and a new video series based on a recent roundtable discussion, “Your Child and ROP—2025.” As part of the conversation, medical experts and parents of children with ROP shared experiences and helpful suggestions on accessing early intervention programs and the importance of adhering to follow-up treatment plans after leaving the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This recorded session is available on the Prevent Blindness ROP website and as part of the ROP-dedicated Prevent Blindness YouTube playlist. These short-form videos will also be shared across Prevent Blindness social media platforms during ROP Awareness Week. In addition, Prevent Blindness also offers a “Retinopathy of Prematurity” episode in its Focus on Eye Health Expert Series.

ROP occurs in some babies who are born prematurely (earlier than 30 weeks of pregnancy); have low birth weight (less than 1,500 g); or have complications after they are born and receive extra oxygen for more than a few days. ROP affects the retina and occurs when the retinal blood vessels, which are not fully developed at birth, begin to grow abnormally and in the wrong direction.

Prevent Blindness is once again collaborating with leading parent and advocacy organizations, including Hand to Hold, the National Coalition for Infant Health, and the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, to enhance and expand the reach of the program. The ROP Education and Support Program and ROP Awareness Week is supported by funding from Regeneron. RP