Abstract:

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disease seen in premature newborns (under 32 weeks) with birth weights below 1500 gm caused by abnormal development of eye retinal vessels. ROP, which causes various complications such as eye myopia, retinal detachment, amblyopia, strabismus, macular ectopia, pupillary block and complete blindness, can be diagnosed and treated early with eye examinations. Although ROP examinations are performed using by topical anesthetics and eye drops that dilate the eyebrows, studies have shown that newborns suffer from high pain during the procedure. Minimizing or eliminating the pain is the most natural right of every newborn and requires a multidisciplinary team approach. Various pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods can be used to reduce or eliminate neonatal pain. In this study, pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods used in pain management in premature newborns who have undergone ROP examination have been discussed in the light of the results of the evidence-based research on the subject. To this end, nurses should apply the methods the effectiveness of which have been proven and evidence-based study practices in reducing neonatal pain and in assessing the effectiveness of the application.

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