Axial Length and Ocular Development of Premature Infants without ROP

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neonatology
• Pediatric Ophthalmology

Background:

• Premature infants often exhibit unique ocular development compared to full-term infants.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for monitoring visual health and development in preterm populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate ocular parameters in premature infants (gestational age > 28 weeks) without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
• To explore the relationship between ocular parameters and growth parameters in these preterm infants.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 76 preterm and 65 term infants examined at 40 weeks' postconceptional age (PCA).
• Utilized portable slit lamp, RetCam3, ultrasonic A-scan biometry, and cycloplegic streak examination.
• Analyzed ocular and growth parameters of the infants' right eyes.

Main Results:

• Preterm infants exhibited shorter axial length (AL), shallower anterior chamber depth (ACD), thicker lens thickness (LT), and thinner vitreous depth (VD) compared to term infants.
• No significant correlation was found between AL and spherical equivalent in preterm infants.
• In preterm infants, AL significantly correlated with gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), and head circumference (HC).

Conclusions:

• Preterm infants demonstrate specific ocular biometry differences, including shorter AL and thinner VD, when compared to term infants.
• Refractive error in preterm infants (GA 28-37 weeks) was not associated with axial length.
• Gestational age, birth weight, and head circumference are significant factors influencing axial length in preterm infants.