Periventricular leukomalacia causes visual impairment in preterm children. A study on the aetiologies of visual impairment in a population-based group of preterm children born 1989-95 in the county of Värmland, Sweden.

PURPOSE: To determine the causes of visual impairment in a population-based group of visually impaired preterm children.

METHODS

Ophthalmological examination and magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography of the brain were performed in all visually impaired preterm children born 1989-95 in Värmland.

RESULTS

Ten of 18 children had periventricular leukomalacia affecting the optic radiation, six had other lesions or malformations in the posterior visual pathways/cortex, but no child had visually impairing retinopathy of prematurity.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that cerebral lesions or malformations are common causes of the visual functional deficit in visually impaired children born preterm. Brain damage should be suspected in a prematurely born child who presents with either of the signs: fixation difficulties, strabismus or nystagmus.