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Determining the size of retinal features in prematurely born children by fundus photography
Laura Knaapi1,2, Tuomo Lehtonen2, Eija Vesti2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Satakunta Central Hospital, Pori, Finland.
Insights
The macula-disc centre distance in premature children is a useful tool for measuring retinal features. However, complications like retinopathy of prematurity can alter this distance, requiring personalized measurements.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Retinal Imaging
Background:
- Prematurity can impact ocular development.
- Accurate measurement of retinal features is crucial for monitoring eye health in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of prematurity on the macula-disc centre distance.
- To assess the utility of macula-disc centre distance as a reference tool for retinal feature sizing in premature children via fundus photography.
Main Methods:
- Digital fundus photographs were analyzed from 27 children (aged 10-11 years) born prematurely.
- Macula-disc centre distance was measured in pixels and converted to metric units using a Topcon fundus camera conversion factor.
Main Results:
- The average macula-disc centre distance was 4.74 mm (SD 0.29).
- No significant correlation was found between ametropia and macula-disc centre distance (r = -0.07, p > 0.05).
- One child with high myopia and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) exhibited an increased macula-disc centre distance (6.35 mm).
Conclusions:
- Macula-disc centre distance serves as a practical reference for retinal feature size evaluation in premature children.
- Complications of ROP, such as macular dragging or high ametropia, can alter macula-disc centre distance, necessitating personalized measurements for accuracy.
Purpose:
The purpose was to study the effect of prematurity on the macula-disc centre distance and whether it could be used as a reference tool for determining the size of retinal features in prematurely born children by fundus photography.
Methods:
The macula-disc centre distance of the left eye was measured in pixels from digital fundus photographs taken from 27 prematurely born children aged 10-11 years with Topcon fundus camera. A conversion factor for Topcon fundus camera (194.98 pixel/mm for a 50° lens) was used to convert the results in pixels into metric units.
Results:
The macula-disc centre distance was 4.74 mm, SD 0.29. No correlation between ametropia and the macula-disc centre distance was found (r = -0.07, p > 0.05). One child (subject 20) had high myopia and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and the macula-disc centre distance was longer than average (6.35 mm).
Discussion:
The macula-disc centre distance in prematurely born children at the age of 10-11 years provides an easy-to-use reference tool for evaluating the size of retinal features on fundus photographs. However, if complications of ROP, for example temporal macular dragging or high ametropia, are present, the macula-disc centre distance is potentially altered and a personal macula-disc centre distance should be determined and used as a refined reference tool.
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