A meta-analysis of studies shows that childhood blindness might be associated with premature births.
The UK-based study by the charity Blind Children found that there has been a 9 percent increase in registration of blind children or partially sighted from 2006 to 2013. It revealed that blindness increased by 12 percent in children below 5 years of age during the study time frame.
Researchers said that incidences of vision impairments were seen among babies born between 22 and 25 weeks. In 1995, 40 percent of preemies survived as opposed to 53 percent in 2006.
The earlier a child is born, the greater the risk of vision impairment, with one in 20, or 5 precent of severely premature babies now likely to be born blind, the charity said.
For the study, the researchers analyzed the data gathered from NHS England, the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Government, the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts and the Office for National Statistics, reports The Telegraph.
Lord Holmes, an ambassador for the charity, whose Paralympic medal tally includes nine golds, said, "Sight loss can leave children feeling isolated and afraid - I know this from personal experience."
Richard Leaman, chief executive of Blind Children UK, said: "Every day a child with sight loss goes without support, it dramatically affects their development."
More than 80 percent parents said their child missed out at school because of the disability. According to the charity, four children in the UK are registered blind or partially-sighted every day. The researchers listed symptoms to help parents of premature babies watch for early signs of sight loss.
They stated that parents should seek medical intervention when their baby's eyes become red, inflamed, itchy, watery, cloudy, puffy or swollen, reports the Daily Mail. Also, the babies' eyes look white in photos and they wobble while walking.
