The arrival of a new life into the world is a joyous event, but when that moment comes too soon, it can usher in a world of immense challenges and uncertainty for families. Every passing hour becomes a precious victory, with each day bringing renewed hope and the promise of progress. As families cling to optimism, the looming threat of a potentially blinding condition casts a dark shadow over their fragile world. The possibility of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) can be a crushing blow, causing anxiety and despair among parents and caregivers.

ROP was first brought to light by the esteemed Dr T. L. Terry in 1942. As medical advancements improve neonatal survivability the incidence of ROP has increased. Today, ROP is the leading cause of blindness in children worldwide.

The emergence of ROP as a significant health concern has inspired researchers and clinicians to innovate and develop new methods for managing the condition. Thanks to their tireless dedication and unyielding innovation, ROP has now become a treatable condition, sparing countless children from the burden of permanent disability.

In this short film, we will take a journey through the storied history of ROP, marvelling at the extraordinary progress made in treating this once debilitating condition and pay homage to the awe-inspiring work of medical researchers and clinicians, who have turned the tide in the fight against ROP bringing hope to countless families around the world.