Tampa-St. Petersburg Birth Injury Attorneys
Representing Victims of Retinopathy of Prematurity
Does your baby who was born prematurely suffer from ROP (retinopathy of prematurity), resulting in impaired vision? Like lungs, optic nerves are not fully developed in many premature babies. Neonatologists know that when a baby has ROP, the attending pediatrician and/or nurse should make sure that the opthamologist "zaps" the baby's eyes with a laser between the 30th-32nd week of gestation so as to "prune" the optive nerves as a plant is pruned — as would happen naturally if the baby had been carried to term.
When this "optic nerve zapping" takes place on schedule — according to well-known standards of care for hospitals that handle premature births — a baby will typically have normal vision despite the premature birth.
When "optic nerve zapping" is overlooked or delayed — if the premature baby's vision falls through the cracks at the hospital, in other words — hydrocephalic brain bleeds and vision impairment often occurs.
Talk to a lawyer without delay if your baby, born prematurely, has impaired vision and you question whether everything possible was done to protect his or her eyesight despite the prematurity. Contact Morgenstern & Herd, P.A., by phone or e-mail.
Was Your Florida Child Afflicted with Retinopathy of Prematurity? Contact an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney
Betsey Herd's background in cardiovascular physiology and experience as a clinical manager for a large hospital system benefits clients of Morgenstern & Herd, P.A. We handle birth injury cases which we accept on a contingency basis. Initial consultations are free. Talk to us about your child's ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) and the possibility that medical negligence may have played a role.
Contact us at 813-699-5804 or 888-816-9134 to schedule a consultation. Se habla español.
