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Surgeon calls for retina specialists to become advocates for ROP patients

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WAILEA, Hawaii — As the last line of defense for premature infants with retinopathy of prematurity, one expert called for his peers to always remember their obligation to the patient.

Thomas C. Lee

"No one else can advocate for these kids. We're it," Thomas C. Lee, MD, said at Retina 2009. "Unfortunately, the kid's not going to cry, he's not going to get a fever, he's not going to complain that he's going blind, and the pediatrician's not going to recognize it. If we don't do it, then that's it. We're the last line of defense."

After explaining that he vowed never to see a child go blind again, Dr. Lee told meeting attendees about a patient he tracked down after the family moved from New York to Georgia so he could be sure the infant received proper treatment.

"I tell my fellows that every time they do an ROP laser, they get a free ticket to heaven. I think it's something that we do out of the goodness of our heart, but at the same time, it's a huge responsibility and obligation, and we can't do it lightly," he said.