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Ophthalmological findings in children born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection
Margareta Hök Wikstrand1, Kerstin Strömland, Sara Flodin
1Department of Ophthalmology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. margareta.hok-wikstrand@vgregion.se
Insights
Children conceived via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) showed no significant differences in visual function or ocular morphology compared to naturally conceived children at age five. This study suggests ICSI does not negatively impact early visual development.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Assisted reproductive technologies, including intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), are increasingly utilized.
- Potential long-term effects of ICSI on child development require thorough investigation.
- Ocular health is a critical aspect of child development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare visual function and ocular morphology in children conceived via ICSI versus spontaneous conception.
- To assess key ophthalmological parameters at age five in ICSI-conceived children.
- To identify any potential visual development differences linked to ICSI.
Main Methods:
- A blinded study examined 137 children conceived via ICSI and 159 control children at age five.
- Groups were matched for age, gender, and maternal age.
- Comprehensive ophthalmological examinations were performed by specialists.
Main Results:
- Visual acuity was comparable between ICSI and control groups (90.4% vs. 93.7%).
- No significant differences were observed in refractive errors (hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism), strabismus, or stereoscopic vision.
- Rare ocular conditions and retinopathy of prematurity were noted in the ICSI group.
Conclusions:
- At age five, ICSI-conceived children demonstrated no significant differences in visual function or ocular morphology compared to controls.
- The findings suggest ICSI is not associated with adverse visual outcomes in early childhood.
- Further long-term studies are warranted to confirm these observations.
Purpose:
To investigate visual function and ocular morphology in children born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and compare them with visual function and ocular morphology in matched children born after spontaneous conception.
Methods:
A total of 137 children born after ICSI and 159 control children were examined at the age of 5 years in a blinded study. The two groups were matched for age, gender and maternal age. The children underwent a detailed ophthalmological investigation by an ophthalmologist and an orthoptist.
Results:
A total of 90.4% of the ICSI children had a visual acuity (VA) in the better eye of >or= 0.8, compared with 93.7% of the controls (NS). No significant differences were found between ICSI children and controls with regard to hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism, heterotropia, stereoscopic vision and convergence. One child with Goldenhar syndrome and one with Marcus Gunn syndrome were observed in the ICSI group. One child in the ICSI group was treated for retinopathy of prematurity.
Conclusion:
In this limited study group, no significant differences in visual function and/or ocular morphology were found between children born after ICSI and matched control children at the age of 5 years.
