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Low-grade myopia in children with regressed retinopathy of prematurity
1S:t Erik's Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
Myopia in preterm children with regressed retinopathy is linked to corneal power. Corneal refractive power appears crucial for myopia development in these infants.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Myopia is a common complication of retinopathy of prematurity.
- The underlying mechanisms of myopia development in preterm infants are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors contributing to myopia development in preterm children with regressed retinopathy.
- To compare refractive characteristics between myopic preterm children and fullterm controls.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 17 myopic preterm children with regressed retinopathy (myopic values ≤ 5 D).
- Re-examination of 10 patients.
- Comparison with a control group of 12 fullterm emmetropic/low hypermetropic children and 10 fullterm myopic children (≤ 5 D).
- Analysis of keratometric values and axial length.
Main Results:
- Myopic preterm children exhibited higher keratometric diopter values than both emmetropic and myopic fullterm children (p < 0.05).
- Fullterm myopic children had increased axial length compared to myopic preterm children (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Corneal refractive power plays a significant role in myopia development among preterm children.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking prematurity, retinopathy of prematurity, and myopia.
Abstract:
Myopia is a frequent sequelae of retinopathy of prematurity. The mechanism for myopia development in children born preterm is not well understood. From a group of 33 myopic preterm children we selected those who had regressed retinopathy and myopic values < or = 5 D. Seventeen children met our criteria. Of them, 10 patients could be re-examined. Factors related to myopia development were analyzed and compared to a control group of 12 children born fullterm with emmetropia or low hypermetropia, as well as another group of 10 fullterm children with myopic values < or = 5 D. The age of children ranged from 9 to 14 years in all groups. The mean birth weight in myopic premature children was 1249.3 g. Higher keratometric diopter values were found in myopic premature children than in emmetropic fullterm children (p < 0.05) and myopic fullterm children (p < 0.05). Increased axial length values were observed in myopic fullterm children when compared to myopic premature children (p < 0.05) In children born preterm the corneal refractive power seems to play a major role in myopia development.