Visual impairment due to retinopathy of prematurity in Nordic children

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatrics
• Public Health

Background:

• Nordic ophthalmologists compiled a database of visually impaired children (0-17 years) from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway.
• The database includes 2527 children, with 247 diagnosed with visual impairment due to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
• ROP is identified as the third most common single diagnosis within the dataset.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the prevalence and characteristics of visual impairment caused by ROP in Nordic children.
• To identify variations in ROP registration across Nordic countries and explore potential reasons for these differences.
• To assess the severity of visual impairment and the presence of additional impairments in children with ROP.

Main Methods:

• Data compilation from national registers of visually impaired children in four Nordic countries.
• Analysis of a common database containing information on 2527 children aged 0-17 years.
• Statistical examination of ROP prevalence, age distribution, visual acuity, and co-occurring impairments.

Main Results:

• Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) accounts for visual impairment in 247 children, making it the third most common diagnosis.
• Age-specific prevalence of ROP-related visual impairment varies across Nordic countries, ranging from 4 to 12 per 100,000 children.
• The age distribution suggests that visual impairment due to ROP is not declining; 175 children had severe visual impairment (visual acuity < 1/60), and 58 had additional impairments.

Conclusions:

• Retinopathy of prematurity remains a significant cause of childhood visual impairment in the Nordic region.
• Observed variations in prevalence may be influenced by differences in registration efficiency.
• The findings underscore the ongoing impact of ROP and the frequent co-occurrence of other impairments, necessitating continued surveillance and intervention strategies.