A pediatric ophthalmologist in Shreveport, LA for over 40 years, Alan B. Richards MD treats (in addition to eye muscle disorders) retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). ROP occurs in preterm infants who must receive oxygen for their immature lungs. As the retina is not fully developed in these small infants, the retinal vessels can grow abnormally and some develop scarring of the retina leading to partial or total lifelong visual loss. About 14,000 preterm infants in the USA are affected by ROP and 90% of those affected have only mild disease. About 1,100-1,500 develop disease severe enough to require medical treatment and 400-600 infants each year in the U.S. become legally blind from ROP.

Worldwide, 20,000 infants become blind each year from ROP and an additional 12,000 have significant visual loss. The problem has reached epidemic proportions in middle-income countries, such as Brazil, India China, Russia, Eastern Europe and South America.

Eye Samaritans International is a non-profit organization begun by Dr. Richards that has made a significant impact upon blindness from ROP in Eastern Europe, especially Ukraine, but also Turkey, Armenia and the Russian Federation. Teams of experts on ROP have taught pediatric ophthalmologists, neonatologists (who care for preterm infants) and the nurses who care for them all across Ukraine. Two lasers for treatment have been delivered and a third is on its way. Equipment for the NICU where preterm infants has been delivered with more coming shortly. National ROP Seminars have been held in many countries in that region.

The program in Ukraine led to an 80% reduction in infant blindness prior to covid and the war in Ukraine. Attention now is devoted to Odessa in southern Ukraine and Lviv in western Ukraine, the current centers for diagnosis and treatment.