[Results of long-term observation of extremely premature babies with retinopathy]
L V Kogoleva1, L A Katargina1, T V Sudovskaya1
1Helmholtz National Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases, Moscow, Russia.
Insights
Extremely premature infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) often experience long-term vision problems, including low vision and refractive errors, necessitating lifelong ophthalmologic monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Vision Science
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Long-term outcomes of ROP, especially in extremely premature neonates, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term clinical and functional visual outcomes in extremely premature infants diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 42 patients (84 eyes) aged 9-18 years with a history of ROP were evaluated.
- Comprehensive ophthalmological examinations included morphometric (OCT), functional (ERG), and psychophysical (computer perimetry) assessments.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of low vision (67%) and refractive errors (92%), including high myopia (46%), was observed in school-aged and adolescent ROP patients.
- Late complications and impaired retinal electrogenesis were common, linked to ROP severity and retinal immaturity.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with cicatricial ROP, particularly those born extremely prematurely with low birth weight, require ongoing, comprehensive ophthalmological care throughout their lives.
Purpose:
To study the long-term clinical and functional outcomes of retinopathy in extremely premature infants.
Material And Methods:
The study included 42 patients (84 eyes) with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at the age of 9-18 years. All patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmological examination, including morphometric (OCT), functional (ERG) and psycho-physical (computer perimetry) methods.
Results:
A high occurrence of low vision (67%) was revealed in extremely premature children with ROP during school years and adolescence, which depended on the severity of active ROP and the formation of pronounced residual changes in the fundus during the cicatricial phase of the disease, a high occurrence of refractive errors (92%), including high degree myopia (46%), late complications that develop with ROP of any degree (68%), impaired retinal electrogenesis - due to both ROP and deep morphological and functional immaturity of the retina.
Conclusion:
Patients with any degree of cicatricial ROP born in the early stages of gestation and with extremely low body weight need regular complex ophthalmologic examination and lifelong follow-up.
