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Ocular Biometric and Optical Coherence Tomography Parameters in Former Preterm Children: A Cohort Study
Marzieh Najjaran1,2, Siamak Zarei-Ghanavati3, Hadi Ostadimoghaddam2
1Department of Optometry School of Paramedical Sciences and Rehabilitation Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Insights
Children with a history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) exhibit distinct ocular characteristics. These include shorter axial length, steeper corneas, and thicker maculas, which are linked to lower gestational age.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Retinopathy of Prematurity Research
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Understanding the long-term ocular consequences of ROP is crucial for monitoring and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare ocular biometric and optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters in preterm children (4-8 years) with and without a history of ROP.
- To evaluate refractive status and correlate these findings with age- and gender-matched full-term children.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective comparative cohort study involving four groups: treated ROP, regressed ROP, preterm without ROP, and full-term controls.
- Measurements included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive error (spherical equivalent), axial length, corneal curvature, and central macular thickness via OCT.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in BCVA or refractive error were found between groups.
- Children with ROP history showed significantly shorter axial lengths and steeper corneas compared to controls.
- Central macular thickness was significantly greater in both ROP groups and preterm children without ROP compared to full-term children.
Conclusions:
- History of ROP is associated with specific ocular biometric changes, including shorter axial length and steeper cornea.
- Increased macular thickness in ROP groups correlates with lower gestational age.
- These findings highlight the persistent ocular structural alterations in children with a history of ROP.
Purpose:
To compare biometric and optical coherence tomography parameters as well as refractive status in preterm children aged 4-8 years with or without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and evaluate their correlations with age and gender-matched full-term children.
Methods:
Retrospective comparative cohort study of four groups of children. Children with a history of preterm birth, including ROP who received intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) treatment, children with a history of ROP that regressed without treatment and those with no history of ROP were compared to age and gender-matched full-term children as a control group. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent of refraction (SE), macular and choroidal thickness, as well as biometric parameters was measured.
Results:
A total of 120 eyes of 120 children (30 children in each group) were included. There was no significant difference in BCVA, SE, and subjective cylinder between groups (p=0.05, p=0.3, p=0.6, respectively). Axial length was significantly shorter, and the cornea was steeper in both ROP groups than in other groups (p=0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). The central macular thickness was significantly thicker in the treated, regressed ROP and preterm groups than in full-term children (p < 0.001). The gestational age was negatively correlated with macular thickness in both treated and regressed ROP groups (r = -0.517; p=0.003, r = - 0.490; p=0.006, respectively).
Conclusions:
Children with a history of ROP had a shorter axial length, steeper cornea, and thicker macula that correlated with lower gestational age.
