OCT-Based Macular Structure-Function Correlation in Dependence on Birth Weight and Gestational Age-the Giessen...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Developmental Biology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Premature birth can impact visual development.
• Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant concern in preterm infants.
• Understanding long-term structural and functional changes is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare retinal layer thicknesses in preterm and term-born children using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).
• To correlate retinal structure with retinal function in these groups.
• To investigate differences in children with and without a history of ROP.

Main Methods:

• SD-OCT scans were performed on preterm children (with and without ROP history) and term-born controls.
• Retinal layer segmentation and analysis used custom software and an Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid.
• Retinal structure was compared to light increment sensitivity (LIS) measurements.

Main Results:

• Preterm children, particularly those with spontaneously regressed ROP (sr-ROP), exhibited significantly thicker total retina, ganglion cell + inner plexiform layer (GCL+), and outer nuclear layer + external limiting membrane (ONL+).
• Gestational age and birth weight were inversely correlated with these retinal layer thicknesses.
• A higher ratio of ONL+ to total retina at the fovea correlated with reduced light increment sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• Increased foveal retinal layer thicknesses in preterm children did not correlate with functional loss.
• A thinner ONL+ ratio, potentially due to reduced foveal cone density, was associated with reduced light sensitivity.
• This finding may represent an early morphologic-functional correlate in prematurity and ROP.