Premature babies are at risk of ROP. This is a problem that can affect eyesight. ROP is the growth of abnormal blood vessels on the retina (lining of the back of the eye). In severe cases, the blood vessels can detach the retina from the back of the eye.
Vision problems affect many children. Signs of vision problems in a young child may include trouble fixing his or her gaze on an object, or following a moving object.
Eye disorders in children are either refractive or nonrefractive errors. Refractive errors are caused by the shape of the eye. Nonrefractive errors are caused by disease.