Related Experiment Videos
Myopia in premature babies with and without retinopathy of prematurity
Insights
Premature infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) show a higher incidence of myopia. The severity of myopia correlated with the severity of cicatricial ROP in these infants.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Myopia is a common refractive error with multifactorial causes.
- The relationship between ROP and myopia requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and the development of myopia in premature infants.
- To assess the impact of ROP severity on the degree of myopia.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 155 premature infants (weighing 600-2000 g) was followed from 1974 to 1980.
- Infants were assessed for the presence and severity of ROP and the degree of myopia.
- Comparison of myopia prevalence and severity between infants with and without ROP.
Main Results:
- 50% of premature infants with ROP were myopic, compared to 16% of those without ROP.
- A positive correlation was observed between the degree of myopia and the severity of cicatricial ROP.
- No significant difference in myopia frequency or degree was found between spontaneous and cryopexy-induced ROP cicatrization.
Conclusions:
- Premature infants with ROP have a significantly higher risk of developing myopia.
- The severity of cicatricial ROP is positively correlated with the degree of myopia.
- ROP is a considerable risk factor for myopia development in the premature population.
Abstract:
One hundred and fifty-five premature infants weighing 600-2000 g were followed up during 1974-80 for the presence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and for the existence of myopia. 50% of the premature infants who had ROP were myopic, while only 16% myopic premature infants were found among those who did not have ROP. There was a positive correlation between the degree of myopia and the severity of cicatricial ROP. No difference existed in the frequency and degree of myopia between premature infants in which ROP cicatrised spontaneously and in those where it cicatrised after cryopexy.