Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
Cone function in children with a history of preterm birth
M Ecsedy1, B Varsányi, A Szigeti
1Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. ecsedy@yahoo.co.uk
Insights
Preterm children, including those with retinopathy of prematurity, showed normal color vision. However, laser-treated retinopathy of prematurity was linked to reduced electroretinography b-wave amplitudes, suggesting a potential impact of prematurity on cone function.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Preterm birth can affect visual development, with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) being a significant concern.
- Color vision and cone function are crucial aspects of visual health that may be impacted by prematurity and associated conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate color vision and cone function in children with a history of preterm birth, comparing those with and without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) to full-term controls.
- To determine if prematurity or ROP influences psychophysical color vision tests and photopic full-field electroretinography (ERG) parameters.
Main Methods:
- A prospective case-control study involving 25 children born preterm (7-14 years old) divided into laser-treated ROP, spontaneously regressed ROP, and no ROP groups, plus 8 age-matched full-term controls.
- Color vision assessed using Fansworth D15 and Lanthony desaturated D15 tests.
- Cone function evaluated via photopic full-field ERG, including standard and S-cone stimuli (blue light on amber background).
Main Results:
- No significant differences in psychophysical color vision tests or ERG implicit times were found between any preterm group and controls.
- Significantly lower ERG b-wave amplitudes were observed in the laser-treated ROP group compared to controls under standard and S-cone single flash conditions.
- Statistical analysis revealed a significant effect of prematurity on ERG b-wave amplitudes for both standard and S-cone ERGs.
Conclusions:
- While color vision appears unaffected in formerly preterm children, even those with ROP, a reduced photopic ERG b-wave amplitude may be associated with prematurity.
- Laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity might be linked to diminished cone function, as indicated by lower ERG b-wave amplitudes.
Abstract:
Color vision was examined by psychophysical tests and photopic color full-field electroretinography (ERG) in formerly preterm children, and compared with those of full-term children. In a prospective case-control study, 25 patients with a history of preterm birth 7-14 years of age were divided into three groups: group I, laser-treated retinopathy of prematurity [ROP] (n = 7); group II, spontaneously regressed ROP (n = 8); group III, no ROP (n = 10). Age-matched full-term born children comprised the control group (n = 8). Color vision was assessed by Fansworth D15 and Lanthony desaturated D15 tests. The cone function was tested using photopic full-field ERG. Besides the ISCEV standard stimuli, blue light on amber background was also used (S-cone ERG). The correlation between ERG parameters and prematurity or ROP was determined. We found no significant differences between any patient group and the control group in the results of the psychophysical tests, and implicit times of the ERG responses. The ERG b-wave amplitudes were significantly lower in group I (laser-treated ROP) compared to controls, for 2 of 4 stimulus conditions i.e. the standard (P = 0.028) and S-cone (P = 0.017) single flash ERGs. The general estimating equation model statistics found a significant effect of prematurity on the b-wave amplitudes (P = 0.025, standard, P = 0.014, S-cone ERG). A slightly reduced photopic ERG b-wave amplitude may be associated with prematurity.
