Ophthalmic Examinations in Premature Infants at 3 Years of Age

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of myopia, strabismus and amblyopia in premature children is higher than in the full-term population.And the higher incidence of ophthalmic abnormalities was found in the group with retinopathy of prematurity. The authors determined the prevalence of ophthalmic abnormalities in 31 premature children without retinopathy of prematurity compared with 31 full-term children.The children were examined when they were 3 years of age from 1993 to 1996. Uncorrected visual acuity of 0.6 or better was noted in 27(43.55%)eyes of the premature children and 35(56.45%)eyes of the full-term children. A total of 17(27.42%)eyes of preterm and 8(12.9%)eyes of full-term children had myopic refractive error(0.25 diopters or greater). And 6(9.68%)eyes of preterm and 11(17.74%)eyes of full-term children had hyperopic refractive error(2.0 diopters or greater). The astigmatism(1.0 diopter or greater)was found in 21(33.87%)eyes in preterm as compared with 10(16.13%)eyes in full-term children. Binocularity was evaluated from Titmus and TNO stereo test. 15(48.4%), 12(38.7%)premature children and 25(80.6%), 23(74.2%)fullterm children passed the Titmus 200 seconds of arc and TNO 240 seconds of arc each. Strabismus was not found in full-term children and 4(6.45%)of premature group. Premature infants without retinopathy of prematurity had higher rates of ocular abnormalities than full-term children. The authors conclude that visual development of premature children should be carefully examined including visual acuity, refractive errors, strabismus etc.