Kathmandu: In a groundbreaking development, Nepal Eye Hospital in Tripureshwor has achieved a significant milestone by successfully performing a lens-sparing vitrectomy (LSV), a first-of-its-kind surgery at the hospital. Such intricate surgeries are uncommon in Nepal.

The LSV procedure was carried out on a newborn, just 29 weeks old, suffering from retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a condition leading to blood clots in the eyes obstructing normal blood flow. Typically, cases requiring this surgery would necessitate travel to India, making this successful LSV surgery on the left eye of the premature newborn a historic leap in eye treatment.

The infant, referred to the hospital, underwent the eye surgery on December 26 under the leadership of Dr. Priya Bajgain, who expressed, "This is the first time that LSV surgery was performed on a baby with such a delicate age at Nepal Eye Hospital. The baby was brought to the hospital for follow-up last Wednesday, and improvements were observed in both eyes."

Initially, the baby received laser technology treatment for ROP in the right eye, and subsequent to successful treatment, the complex LSV surgery was performed on the left eye. Dr. Bajgain, accompanied by pediatric anesthesiologist Shanta Sapkota, dedicated over an hour to complete the intricate LSV surgery.

Dr. Bajgain acknowledged the higher risks associated with such surgeries but highlighted the successful preservation of the baby's eyes as a moment of joy. Born with a weight of only 1,200 grams, the infant spent 28 days in the NICU after birth and was later admitted to the eye hospital for treatment while still in the ICU, 34 days post-birth.

ROP, with its five stages of development, occurs when the blood vessels in the eyes do not properly develop. Dr. Bajgain explained that the baby faced complications in both eyes due to factors such as low birth weight, pregnancy duration less than 34 weeks, oxygen therapy, physical issues, jaundice, and stomach problems. Infants born with less than 34 weeks of pregnancy or weighing less than two kilograms are at risk of blindness due to ROP.

Dr. Bajgain, also involved in eye treatment for newborns at Maternity Home Thapathali, emphasized that the hospital did not charge any fees from the parents for the surgery and other treatments provided to the infant. The hospital's newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Dharmaraj Gosain, stated that they are committed to enhancing eye treatment services in line with the Ministry of Health and Population's policy.

Looking ahead, Gosain shared plans to expand the hospital's services, and Santosh Poudel, the medical records officer, disclosed that out of the 157,000 patients served by the hospital last year, 300 were children under 34 weeks of age.