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Effect of retinopathy of prematurity on resolution acuity development in 1- to 3-year-old children
M Dogru1, H Shirabe, M Nakamura
1Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe University School of Medicine, and the Eye Clinic, Japan.
Insights
Visual development in infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) shows improvement by age 3. However, severe ROP is linked to delayed visual acuity, underscoring the need for regular monitoring in affected infants.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neonatology
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially blinding disorder affecting premature infants.
- Early visual development is crucial for long-term ocular health and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the visual development trajectory in infants aged 1-3 years diagnosed with stages 1-3 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
- To compare visual acuity outcomes between infants with varying stages of ROP and healthy preterm controls.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 144 infants weighing less than 1500g was categorized into three ROP stage groups, with preterm infants serving as controls.
- Ophthalmic examinations and preferential looking acuity measurements were conducted at 4-7 weeks post-birth and continued until retinal vascularization or ROP resolution, with acuity assessed at 12, 18, 24, and 36 months.
Main Results:
- Infants with stage 1-2 or no ROP demonstrated progressive visual acuity development after 12 months.
- Infants with stage 3 ROP exhibited significantly lower acuity scores at 18 and 24 months compared to those with stage 1-2 or no ROP (P<.001).
- By 36 months, while visual acuity improved in the stage 3 ROP group, it remained lower than in infants without or with mild ROP.
Conclusions:
- Mild ROP (stages 1-2) appears to have a limited impact on visual acuity development up to age 3.
- Severe ROP (stage 3) is associated with impaired visual development, highlighting the importance of consistent monitoring.
- Regular assessment of early visual acuity is critical for infants diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity.
Purpose:
To assess the pattern of visual development in children aged 1-3 years with stage 1-3 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Methods:
One hundred forty-four infants weighing <1500 g were divided into three groups according to ROP stage. Randomly chosen preterm infants were the controls. Ophthalmic examinations started 4-7 weeks after birth and were performed until the retina was fully vascularized or until any ROP that had developed resolved. Preferential looking acuity measurements were carried out at 12, 18, 24, and 36 months of age.
Results:
Infants with stage 1-2 or no ROP showed evidence of improving acuity development after 12 months. Infants with stage 3 ROP had significantly lower acuity scores compared to infants with stage 1-2 or no ROP at the 18- and 24-month follow-up examinations (P<.001). At 36 months, the visual acuity of infants with stage 3 ROP showed evidence of improving development but still lagged behind infants with stage 1-2 or no ROP.
Conclusion:
Although mild ROP does not seem to have a considerable effect on the development of resolution acuity until age 3, severe forms of ROP may be associated with impaired visual development, which strongly suggests the necessity of periodic monitoring of early visual acuity in infants with ROP.
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