Foredragsholder / Presenter

Navn / Name: Olav H. Haugen

Institution: Haukeland University Hospital

Afdeling / Department : Department of Ophthalmology

E-mail: olav.haugen@helse-bergen.no

Abstractet vil blive offentliggjort på NPOG 2007 hjemmesiden

The abstract will be published on the NPOG 2007 website  

Medforfattere / Co-authors:

Navn / Name: Lise Nepstad

Institution: Haukeland University Hospital

Afdeling / Department: Department of Ophthalmology

Navn / Name: Odd Arne Standal

Institution: Førde Central Hospital

Afdeling / Department: Department of Ophthalmology

Navn / Name: Trond Markestad

Institution: Haukeland University Hospital

Afdeling / Department: Department of Pediatrics

ABSTRACT

Visual function, refractive errors, and biometric measurements in 6-7 year-old children born extremely prematurely.

Aim of study:

To examine the long-term visual function and refractive state in eyes of extremely preterm children.

Materials/methods:

As part of a nation-wide, observational, prospective study on children born extremely prematurely (birth weight <1000g or gestational age <28 weeks) in 1999-2000, we performed a detailed eye examination in children from two counties in Western Norway at the age of 6-7. Of the 46 children invited to the examination, 37 met. Two additional children had an eye examination at 3.5 and 4 years, respectively. Data from these two examinations were also included. All children had been examined with indirect ophthalmoscopy in the neonatal period according to a standard ROP screening protocol.

The present eye examination included corrected visual acuity for distance and near, orthoptic evaluation, retinoscopy in cycloplegia, keratometry, axial length, and accommodation amplitude.

Results:

No children were visually impaired (defined as VA < 0.33 in the best eye), but 42% had VA <1.0 (best eye or binocular). Two children (5.1%) were myopic (<-0.25D), 28 (71.8%) were emmetropic or slightly hypermetropic (-0.25 - +1.75D), whereas five (12.8%) were hypermetropic ( ≥ +2.0D or more). Mean corneal curvature was increased compared to normal values (K= 44.1 ± 1.24D), whereas axial length was shorter than expected. Keratometry, but not axial length, showed a significant correlation with current weight and head circumference. Four children (9%) had manifest strabismus (all esotropia). One patient had an accommodation amplitude of 8D, all the others showed values of 12D or more.

Conclusion:

Compared to previously published data on extremely premature children, the present study shows a favourable long-term outcome regarding visual function and refractive abnormalities. However, we confirm a high frequency of subnormal visual acuity, as reported by others. It is unclear whether this is due to changes in the retina or in the posterior visual pathways.