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The temporal retinal vessel angle and infants born preterm.
C Wilson1, M Theodorou, K D Cocker
1Department of Optometry and Visual Science, City University, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK.
The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|February 9, 2006
Summary
The temporal retinal vessel angle (TVA) in babies shows normative data, with no significant change related to gestational age. These findings aid in detecting macular displacement, particularly with interocular asymmetry.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening is crucial for preterm infants.
- Understanding normal ocular development in infants is essential for diagnosing conditions like macular displacement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normative data for the temporal retinal vessel angle (TVA) in infants.
- To investigate the relationship between TVA and gestational age, including preterm birth.
- To assess the potential of TVA in identifying macular displacement.
Main Methods:
- Digital retinal images were acquired during routine retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening.
- The temporal retinal vessel angle (TVA) was measured in 164 eyes of 82 infants across different gestational age groups (very preterm, preterm, near term).
Main Results:
- The mean TVA was approximately 80 degrees for both eyes, with high interocular symmetry.
- No statistically significant trend of increasing TVA with increasing gestational age was observed.
- The presence and stage of ROP had a minor effect on one parameter of the left eye's TVA.
Conclusions:
- The study provides normative TVA data for infants, serving as a reference standard.
- TVA measurements can assist in identifying macular displacement, especially when interocular asymmetry is present.