Table 2.

Ready reckoner for nurses in prevention and management of ROP

Identify newborns at risk of ROP at admission to the NICU. Note the expected screening date and time on the case file. Encourage communication with the obstetrician for improving the coverage of antenatal steroid usage. Restrict oxygen use in the NICU. Monitor saturations in all babies on oxygen and set targets between 90 to 95%. Restrict usage and duration of antibiotics, intravenous fluids, parenteral nutrition and continuous positive airway pressure. Encourage mothers of preterm babies to use kangaroo mother care, continue with breastfeeding and aggressive enteral nutrition and developmentally supportive care. Co-ordinate with the neonatal and ophthalmology team in timely preparation of the newborn (pain relief and eye dilatation) for ROP screening. Monitor the newborn during the screening procedure. Play an active part in communication with the parents on screening outcomes and need for treatment when needed. At discharge brief the mother on the need for subsequent screening for ROP, hearing and neurodevelopment. Ensure follow up on schedule and become part of the extended family of every newborn.