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Published on: February 2, 2015
Axial Length and Anterior Segment Alterations in Former Preterm Infants and Full-Term Neonates Analyzed With
Achim Fieß1, Ruth Kölb-Keerl, Markus Knuf
1*Department of Ophthalmology, Helios Dr. Horst Schmidt Klinik Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden, Germany; †Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany; ‡Department of Pediatrics, Helios Dr. Horst Schmidt Klinik Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden, Germany; §Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; and ¶Department of Ophthalmology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Insights
Former preterm infants show altered ocular growth, particularly in early childhood. However, differences in refractive error and axial length diminish by age 8, suggesting catch-up growth in preterm children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Biology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Premature birth is associated with various health complications, including ocular issues.
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant concern in preterm infants.
- Long-term ocular development in former preterm infants requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare axial length and anterior segment parameters in former preterm infants (with and without ROP) versus full-term infants.
- To identify factors associated with ocular alterations in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, controlled, cross-sectional study of 485 participants (former preterm and full-term infants) aged 4-10 years.
- Utilized Pentacam Scheimpflug imaging for anterior segment and axial length measurements.
- Analyzed corneal thickness, spherical equivalent, astigmatism, corneal diameter, anterior chamber depth, and axial length.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in corneal thickness between preterm and full-term infants.
- Significant differences in spherical equivalent, astigmatism, corneal diameter, and axial length observed in younger preterm children (≤7 years).
- By age ≥8 years, only corneal diameter differed significantly; astigmatism and axial length showed catch-up growth.
Conclusions:
- Former preterm infants exhibit altered ocular morphology and axial length, especially in early childhood.
- Preterm infants demonstrate a catch-up in ocular growth, reducing differences with full-term peers by age 8.
- Birth weight and laser treatment are associated with specific ocular parameters like astigmatism and axial length.
Purpose:
To compare the axial length and anterior segment alterations in preterm infants with and without retinopathy of prematurity with those of full-term infants.
Methods:
The Wiesbaden Prematurity Study investigated 503 participants of former gestational age ≤32 weeks and gestational age ≥37 weeks now being aged 4 to 10 years. This study included 485 participants in the prospective controlled cross-sectional, hospital-based study with successful Pentacam Scheimpflug imaging. Anterior segment parameters, axial length measurements, and associated factors were analyzed.
Results:
Corneal thickness did not differ between former preterm and full-term infants. Significant differences were found between preterm and full-term infants now aged ≤7 years for spherical equivalent, astigmatism, corneal diameter, and axial length. In preterm infants aged ≥8 years compared with full terms of the same age, we found a significant difference only in the corneal diameter. In multivariable analysis of the corneal diameter, we detected an association with birth weight and perinatal adverse events. Astigmatism correlated with birth weight and laser treatment, anterior chamber depth with birth weight, laser treatment and age at examination, and axial length with birth weight and age at examination.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrated altered axial length and anterior segment morphology in former preterm infants, especially in the first years of life. In addition, we observed that preterm infants seemed to catch up, so that the differences in ocular growth in terms of spherical equivalent, astigmatism, and axial length decreased within the first 8 years of life.
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