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Long-term visual pathology in children with significant perinatal complications
Russell J Adams1, Heather L Hall, Mary L Courage
1Department of Psychology/Pediatrics, Memorial University, St John's, NF, Canada A1B 3X9. michelem@mun.ca
Insights
Children with perinatal complications face higher risks for long-term functional vision deficits. While most vision issues were mild, early detection and intervention are crucial for optimal visual development.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Infant eye research often focuses on structural issues and spatial vision, with known risks for abnormal development.
- Previous studies indicate that perinatal complications can impact visual development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively assess long-term functional vision outcomes in children with significant perinatal complications.
- To identify specific areas of functional vision at risk.
Main Methods:
- A battery of 17 vision tests was administered to 76 children with perinatal complications (e.g., preterm birth, intraventricular hemorrhage).
- Functional vision measures included visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, stereoacuity, peripheral vision, color vision, astigmatism, and binocular alignment.
- Results were compared to 61 age-matched, typically developing control children.
Main Results:
- Children with perinatal risk factors showed a higher proportion of suspect or abnormal results across various functional vision tests.
- These at-risk children also exhibited a slightly increased incidence of ocular disorders, such as strabismus, and refractive errors.
- Despite deficits, most vision impairments were relatively mild.
Conclusions:
- Significant perinatal complications place children at risk for long-term functional vision deficits.
- The findings highlight the need for comprehensive vision screening in at-risk populations.
- Early identification and management can mitigate potential long-term visual impairments.
Abstract:
Eye research in infants who experience significant perinatal complications has been restricted to evaluation of structural ocular disease and spatial vision, and results show that these aspects of vision are at increased risk for abnormal or delayed development. To expand upon previous work, a battery of 17 vision tests was employed to assess, comprehensively, long-term outcome of functional vision. Seventy-six children (38 males, 38 females), between the corrected ages of 2 years 11 months and 10 years 2 months (mean 6y 6mo) with various significant complications (e.g. very preterm birth, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage) were compared to normally developing, age-matched control children (n = 61; mean age 7y 1mo) on measures of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, stereoacuity, peripheral vision, color vision, astigmatism, and binocular alignment. Results showed that at-risk children had more test results that fell within the suspect or abnormal range. At-risk children also had a slightly higher incidence of ocular disorders (e.g. strabismus) and refractive error. These data imply that children who experienced significant perinatal risk factors are at risk for long-term deficits of functional vision. However, most of these deficits appear to be relatively mild.
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