The telemedicine system allows us to reach babies in places that previously had no access to screening. It’s saving sight—and lives.
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of childhood blindness in Latin America. It affects premature babies born too early, whose eyes haven’t fully developed. Many babies born in low-resource settings, where early screening and treatment are unavailable, can experience irreversible vision loss. Yet for years, most hospitals in Guatemala lacked the equipment and the specialists to respond.
In Guatemala, public health spending is among the lowest in the region. Until recently, ROP services were limited to a few hospitals near the capital, leaving thousands of infants at risk of losing their sight.
Recognising this urgent need, the National Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Programme was launched in January 2022, building upon earlier CBM-supported efforts to strengthen neonatal eye care.
Led by Dr. Ana Lucia Asturias, a dedicated pediatric ophthalmologist at the National Ophthalmology Unit (UNO), the program has worked to expand ROP screening and treatment services to hospitals nationwide.
The program trains neonatal staff in ROP diagnosis and care, equips hospitals with retinal imaging tools, and uses telemedicine to connect rural hospitals with UNO specialists. Parents are engaged through follow-up calls, in-person education, and materials in Mayan languages to improve return rates and awareness.
Initially available in only nine hospitals concentrated around the capital, the program has now extended services to 12 additional hospitals, prioritising regions with high rates of premature births and limited medical infrastructure.
