Narayana Nethralaya’s KIDROP Expands Lifesaving ROP Services

On November 17, 2025, Narayana Nethralaya, a leading eye care institution in Bengaluru, announced significant advancements in its efforts to prevent infant blindness through its KIDROP initiative. This program focuses on combating Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a serious condition affecting premature infants and a leading cause of childhood blindness. The announcement coincided with World ROP Day, underscoring the urgency of addressing this critical health concern.

Premature infants born before 34 weeks of gestation or weighing less than 2,000 grams face an increased risk of developing ROP. The KIDROP program, which stands for Karnataka Internet Assisted Diagnosis for Retinopathy of Prematurity, has emerged as a pioneering telemedicine initiative aimed at screening and treating these vulnerable infants. Initially launched in partnership with the Government of Karnataka, KIDROP has expanded its reach across multiple Indian states, including Gujarat, Goa, and Rajasthan.

Transformative Impact on Neonatal Eye Care

Since its inception, KIDROP has made remarkable strides in preventing avoidable blindness. The program has conducted 392,648 screening sessions and screened over 118,884 unique infants as of October 2025, successfully treating more than 6,650 premature babies. This extensive outreach has significantly contributed to safeguarding the vision of infants at risk.

During a recent press conference, Dr. Naren Shetty, Director of Narayana Nethralaya, emphasized the program’s impact on communities, stating, “We are proud that this model has inspired several centres across India and has even served as a sustainable example for programs in other countries.” He highlighted the importance of screening and treatment in transforming not just individual lives but also the futures of families affected by ROP.

The collaboration between KIDROP and Remidio Innovative Solutions, supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, has led to the development of an innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) model specifically for detecting ROP. This technology leverages KIDROP’s extensive image database, allowing for the creation of a reliable offline AI algorithm capable of grading the severity of ROP.

Introducing AI-Enabled Screening Technology

A major highlight of the press event was the unveiling of India’s first AI-enabled ROP camera, the Neubo 130. This device represents a significant advancement in neonatal eye care, making the screening process more accessible and efficient. Dr. Anand Vinekar, Founder Program Director of KIDROP, explained how the Neubo 130 is designed for use in both rural and urban settings, ensuring that more infants can receive timely assessments.

With a 130-degree field of view and advanced optical engineering, the Neubo 130 facilitates real-time ROP detection even in areas with limited internet connectivity. Dr. Anand Sivaraman, CEO of Remidio Innovative Solutions, noted, “For a country with millions of premature babies at risk, technology must be designed for true mass screening – affordable and usable by non-specialists.” This innovation promises to enhance the capacity for neonatal screenings across India, particularly in under-resourced areas.

The KIDROP initiative continues to exemplify Narayana Nethralaya’s commitment to providing high-quality, accessible eye care. By merging medical expertise with technological innovation, the institution aims to protect the vision of all infants, ensuring that no child suffers from preventable blindness. As the program expands, it reinforces the urgent need for comprehensive eye care solutions that can reach every infant at risk.

Through partnerships and community engagement, Narayana Nethralaya reaffirms its dedication to safeguarding the right to sight for every child, fostering a future where premature infants can thrive with healthy vision.