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Contrast sensitivity in 10 year old preterm and full term children: a population based study
E Larsson1, A Rydberg, G Holmström
1Department of Ophthalmology, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. eva.larsson@ogon.uu.se
Insights
Ten-year-old children born prematurely exhibit lower contrast sensitivity (CS) compared to full-term peers. This visual difference was observed across all tested spatial frequencies, indicating potential long-term visual impacts.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Visual Neuroscience
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) affects premature infants, potentially impacting long-term visual development.
- Contrast sensitivity (CS) is a crucial aspect of visual function, assessing the ability to discern subtle differences in luminance.
- Understanding visual outcomes in prematurely born children is essential for early intervention and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare contrast sensitivity (CS) in 10-year-old children born prematurely versus those born at full term.
- To investigate the relationship between prematurity, ROP history, and CS at various spatial frequencies.
- To assess CS in a population-based cohort previously studied for ROP incidence.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 205 prematurely born children and 215 full-term controls were assessed.
- Monocular contrast sensitivity was measured using the Vistech 6500 test.
- Testing was conducted at five distinct spatial frequencies ranging from 1.5 to 18 cycles per degree.
Main Results:
- Prematurely born children demonstrated significantly lower CS across all tested spatial frequencies compared to full-term controls.
- Logarithmic CS differences ranged from 0.03 at 1.5 cycles/deg to 0.19 at 18 cycles/deg.
- Lower CS persisted even after excluding children with ROP or neurological disorders; cryotherapy treatment was associated with the lowest CS.
Conclusions:
- Ten-year-old prematurely born children exhibit reduced contrast sensitivity compared to their full-term peers.
- The clinical significance of this reduced CS on daily visual functioning remains to be determined.
- Further research is needed to explore the functional implications of diminished CS in this population.
Aims:
To determine the contrast sensitivity (CS) in 10 year old prematurely born children, previously included in a population based study on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and in full term controls.
Methods:
This study included 205 prematurely born children and 215 children born at term, from the same geographical area and study period. CS was assessed monocularly with the Vistech 6500 test at five spatial frequencies (1.5-18 cycles/deg).
Results:
Prematurely born children had statistically significant lower CS at all frequencies, compared to full term ones. The mean differences in logarithmic CS were 0.03 (1.5 cycles/deg), 0.09 (3 cycles/deg), 0.10 (6 cycles/deg), 0.12 (12 cycles/deg), and 0.19 (18 cycles/deg). Even when the children with ROP and neurological disorders were excluded there was a difference between the two groups. Children who had been treated with cryotherapy had the lowest CS.
Conclusion:
CS was lower in 10 year old prematurely born children than in full term ones of the same age. Whether this finding affects their visual function in daily life is uncertain.
