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Published on: June 23, 2014
Long-term visual outcomes in children with regressed retinopathy of prematurity
Se Hie Park1, Dae Joong Ma1, Dong Gyu Choi2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, 665 Shiheongdae-Ro, Seoul, 07442, Korea.
Insights
In children with regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), macular dragging and certain refractive errors like myopia are linked to poorer long-term visual acuity (VA). Prematurity indicators such as low gestational age and birth weight also predict worse visual outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Retinal Diseases
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of childhood visual impairment.
- Understanding long-term visual outcomes after ROP regression is crucial for early intervention.
- Regressed ROP can still lead to significant visual deficits and refractive errors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate long-term visual outcomes in children with regressed retinopathy of prematurity.
- To identify correlations between visual acuity (VA) and clinical variables, including fundus findings.
- To determine predictors of poor visual outcomes in regressed ROP.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 57 consecutive patients with regressed ROP.
- Analysis of best-corrected VA and anatomical fundus findings (macular dragging, vascular tortuosity).
- Evaluation of correlations between VA and clinical variables: gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), and refractive errors (spherical equivalent [SE], astigmatism, anisometropia).
Main Results:
- Macular dragging was present in 33.6% of eyes and significantly correlated with poor VA (p=0.002).
- Smaller GA and BW were associated with poorer visual outcomes (p=0.007).
- Myopia, astigmatism, anisometropia, and larger absolute SE values were significantly linked to worse VA (all p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Macular dragging, small GA and BW, and specific refractive errors are potential predictors of poor visual outcomes in regressed ROP.
- Early identification of these factors can aid in managing visual prognosis for affected children.
- Further research may explore targeted interventions based on these identified risk factors.
Abstract:
This retrospective study evaluated long-term visual outcomes in children with regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and correlations between visual acuity (VA) and clinical variables, including fundus findings. We reviewed the medical records of 57 consecutive patients diagnosed with ROP. We analyzed the correlations between best-corrected VA and anatomical fundus findings, such as macular dragging and retinal vascular tortuosity, after ROP regression. The correlations between VA and clinical variables such as gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), and refractive errors (hyperopia and myopia in spherical equivalent [SE], astigmatism, and anisometropia) were also evaluated. Of 110 eyes, 33.6% had macular dragging; the presence of macular dragging and poor VA were significantly correlated (p = 0.002). Patients with larger macula-to-disc distance/disc diameter ratios had significantly poorer VA (p = 0.036). However, no significant correlation was observed between the VA and vascular tortuosity. Patients with smaller GA and BW had poorer visual outcomes (both, p = 0.007). The larger SE in absolute values, myopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia were significantly associated with poorer visual outcomes as well (all, p < 0.001). In children with regressed ROP, macular dragging, small GA and BW, large SE in absolute values, myopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia may be predictors of poor visual outcomes at early ages.
