Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2025
Translaminar Autonomous System Model for the Modulation of Intraocular and Intracranial Pressure in Human Donor Posterior Segments
Published on: April 24, 2020
Longitudinal Change of Cup to Disc Ratio in Premature Infants with Enlarged Cup to Disc Ratio and Normal Intraocular
Tae Hwan Kim1, Yoon Hyung Kwon1, Myo Jing Kim2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Insights
The vertical cup to disc ratio (vCDR) in premature infants with enlarged optic discs and normal intraocular pressure (IOP) remained stable up to two years. Continued monitoring is advised until advanced glaucoma assessments are feasible.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Glaucoma Research
Background:
- Enlarged optic discs in premature infants with normal intraocular pressure (IOP) require careful monitoring.
- Longitudinal data on the progression of the cup to disc ratio (CDR) in this specific population is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the longitudinal changes in the vertical cup to disc ratio (vCDR) in premature infants diagnosed with enlarged CDR and normal IOP.
- To understand the stability of optic nerve head morphology in this cohort over time.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective observational study involving 283 eyes of premature infants.
- Infants were categorized into enlarged CDR and control groups.
- Analysis included demographics, gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), vCDR, IOP, and corneal diameter.
Main Results:
- The enlarged CDR group (n=38) had a baseline vCDR of 0.63 ± 0.12 and IOP of 12.7 ± 2.2 mmHg.
- The control group (n=245) had a baseline vCDR of 0.18 ± 0.05 and IOP of 10.9 ± 1.7 mmHg.
- No significant changes in vCDR were observed up to 2 years of age; IOP decreased significantly over time.
Conclusions:
- The vertical cup to disc ratio (vCDR) shows stability in premature infants with enlarged CDR and normal IOP up to age two.
- Close follow-up is essential, particularly considering the limitations of current glaucoma diagnostic tools in very young children.
- Further research with advanced imaging like optical coherence tomography is warranted.
Purpose:
To evaluate the longitudinal change of cup to disc ratio (CDR) in premature infants with enlarged CDR and normal intraocular pressure (IOP).
Methods:
This retrospective, observational study included 283 eyes of 283 premature infants at single center. Infants were divided into enlarged CDR and control groups. Data on demographics, gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), vertical cup to disc ratio (vCDR), IOP, and corneal diameter were analyzed.
Results:
Of the 283 patients, 38 (13.4%) and 245 (86.6%) were in the enlarged CDR and control groups, respectively. In the enlarged CDR group, the vCDR and baseline IOP was 0.63 ± 0.12 and 12.7 ± 2.2 mmHg, respectively. In the control group, the vCDR and baseline IOP was 0.18 ± 0.05 and 10.9 ± 1.7 mmHg, respectively. The IOP at a GA of 40 weeks and at 1 and 2 years of age were significantly lower than that at baseline. The differences in vCDR between baseline and each follow-up visit were not significant. vCDR was negatively correlated with GA and BW; however, these correlations were not significant.
Conclusions:
The vCDR did not significantly change up to age of 2 years of age in premature infants with enlarged CDR and normal IOP. However, close follow-up is needed until other reliable glaucoma examinations, such as optical coherence tomography and visual fields, can be possible.
