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Ocular findings in low birthweight and premature babies in the first year: do we need to screen?
1Department of Ophthalmology, The Ipswich Hospital, Suffolk, UK. edel.cosgrave@gmail.com
Insights
All preterm infants screened for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) require 12-month follow-up to detect amblyogenic factors. Even ROP-negative infants have increased risks for visual problems, necessitating preschool eye exams.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Eye Care
Background:
- Standardized follow-up care for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening is lacking.
- ROP affects preterm and low birthweight infants, posing risks for visual impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report ocular findings at 12 months in infants screened for ROP.
- To evaluate the need for standardized follow-up protocols in ROP screening.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 211 infants' case notes.
- Data collected included birth/maternal details, ROP status, and 12-month follow-up ocular findings (visual acuity, refraction, squint, other pathologies).
Main Results:
- 16.6% of ROP-positive infants had visual issues at 12 months, including squint, refractive error, and optic nerve abnormalities.
- 10% of ROP-negative infants also had visual problems, such as squint and refractive error, indicating broader risks.
Conclusions:
- Annual screening at 12 months is recommended for all ROP-screened infants to identify amblyogenic factors.
- Parents of ROP-negative infants should be informed about potential visual risks and advised on preschool eye examinations.
Purpose:
There is no standardized approach for the ophthalmic care follow-up of children screened for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The authors report the ocular findings at 12 months in preterm and low birthweight babies screened for ROP over a 5-year period (1998-2003).
Methods:
The case notes of 211 babies were retrospectively reviewed for birth details, maternal details, presence of ROP, and findings at follow-up screening which included visual acuity, refraction at 12 months, presence of squint, and any other ocular problems.
Results:
At 1 year follow-up, 16.6% of ROP positive children failed a screening visit because of squint (6.66%), refractive error (6.66%), and optic nerve abnormalities (3.33%). At 1 year follow-up, 10% of ROP negative children had failed a screening visit because of squint (3.75 %), refractive error (3.75%), and other pathology (2.5%).
Conclusions:
The authors recommend screening all babies with ROP at 12 months to identify amblyogenic factors such as squint and refractive error. Parents of infants who do not develop ROP should be advised of the increased risk of visual problems in their children and to have their child examined in the preschool period.
