Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Use emergency services or the emergency department for sudden major loss of vision, a serious eye injury, or severe symptoms after recent eye treatment when the specialist team cannot be reached.
Changes such as a gradually developing squint, trouble focusing, sitting unusually close to screens, or difficulty seeing at school usually need a routine eye appointment rather than emergency care.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact the screening service promptly if an appointment is missed or your baby is discharged or transferred before screening is complete.
Seek urgent medical assessment if:
A pupil looks white instead of black in person or repeatedly in photographs
Your baby or child suddenly stops responding to faces, lights, or movement
An eye becomes very red, swollen, cloudy, or appears painful
There is increasing discharge, swelling, or distress after an eye injection or surgery
A child with known retinal disease describes a curtain, shadow, flashes, or many new floating spots
A white pupil has several possible causes, some unrelated to ROP, but it should be assessed urgently.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Attend every scheduled ROP screening or follow-up appointment, even if your baby's eyes look normal.
The team can arrange the next examination at the correct time.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Retinopathy of prematurity. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.