Refractive and visual outcomes of macular edema of prematurity at 9 months, 2 years, and 5 years of age.

OBJECTIVE

Determine visual and refractive outcomes of cystoid macular edema (CME) in preterm infants at risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

DESIGN

Prospective, observational cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Premature infants eligible for ROP screening from 2 tertiary hospitals.

METHODS

Participants underwent awake handheld spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging during their ROP exams. A single, masked pediatric ophthalmologist performed eye examinations, including cycloplegic streak retinoscopy, at 9 months, 2 years, and 5 years of age.

RESULTS

Among 94 preterm infants (175 eyes), birth weight was 1 018.09 ± 290.16 g and gestational age 28.38 ± 2.87 weeks. Thirty-two infants (34%) developed CME (mean maximum central foveal thickness 300 ± 350 µm) as newborns. No differences were found between those with versus those without CME in high myopia, mild myopia, mild hyperopia, and high hyperopia at 9 months (p = 1.00; n = 65), 2 years (p = 1.00; n = 47), and 5 years (p = 1.00; n = 31). Mean spherical equivalents (1.89 ± 2.19 vs 1.73 ± 1.15, 1.77 ± 1.92 vs 0.99 ± 1.48, and 1.28 ± 0.74 vs 0.41 ± 1.59 at 9 months, 2 years, and 5 years, respectively; p = 0.87-1.00), visual acuity (p = 0.14-1.00), astigmatism (p = 0.71-1.00), and strabismus (p = 1.00) also did not correlate with a history of CME at any time point.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified no associations between CME in premature newborns screened for ROP and visual acuity or refractive error at 9 months, 2 years, or 5 years of age.