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Updated: Dec 17, 2025
A Method to Quantify Visual Information Processing in Children Using Eye Tracking
Published on: July 9, 2016
Effects of Early Intervention on Visual Function in Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Camilla Fontana1, Agnese De Carli2, Daniela Ricci3,4
1Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Insights
Early intervention significantly improved visual function in very preterm infants. This program enhanced visual maturation, including ocular motility and attention, compared to standard care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Very preterm infants often experience visual development delays.
- Early visual stimulation may positively impact neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an early intervention program on visual function in very preterm infants.
- To assess visual maturation at term equivalent age.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial comparing Early Intervention (EI) with Standard Care (SC).
- EI included parental training and multisensory stimulation; SC followed NICU protocols.
- Visual function assessed using a prevalidated battery at term equivalent age.
Main Results:
- 59% of infants in the EI group achieved optimal scores across all visual function items versus 17% in the SC group (p=0.001).
- EI infants demonstrated more mature visual function in five key areas, including ocular motility and visual attention.
- Groups were comparable in baseline characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Early intervention positively impacts visual function maturation in very preterm infants.
- Multisensory stimulation and parental training are key components for enhancing visual development.
Abstract:
Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of an early intervention program in enhancing visual function in very preterm infants. Methods: We conducted a RCT. We included preterm infants born between 25+0 and 29+6 weeks of gestational age (GA), without severe morbidities, and their families. Infants were randomized to either receive Standard Care (SC) or Early Intervention (EI). SC, according to NICU protocols, included Kangaroo Mother Care and minimal handling. EI included, in addition to routine care, parental training according to the PremieStart program, and multisensory stimulation (infant massage and visual interaction) performed by parents. Visual function was assessed at term equivalent age (TEA) using a prevalidated battery evaluating ocular spontaneous motility, ability to fix and follow a target, reaction to color, stripes discrimination and visual attention at distance. Results: Seventy preterm (EI n = 34, SC n = 36) infants were enrolled. Thirteen were excluded according to protocol. Fifty-seven infants (EI = 27, SC = 30) were assessed at TEA. The two groups were comparable for parental and infant characteristics. In total, 59% of infants in the EI group achieved the highest score in all the nine assessed items compared to 17% in the SC group (p = 0.001): all infants in both groups showed complete maturation in four items, but EI infants showed more mature findings in the other five items (ocular motility both spontaneous and with target, tracking arc, stripes discrimination and attention at distance). Conclusions: Our results suggest that EI has a positive effect on visual function maturation in preterm infants at TEA. Trial Registration: clinicalTrial.gov (NCT02983513).
