Ocular findings in low birthweight and premature babies in the first year: do we need to screen?

PURPOSE: There is no standardized approach for the ophthalmic care follow-up of children screened for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The authors report the ocular findings at 12 months in preterm and low birthweight babies screened for ROP over a 5-year period (1998-2003).

METHODS

The case notes of 211 babies were retrospectively reviewed for birth details, maternal details, presence of ROP, and findings at follow-up screening which included visual acuity, refraction at 12 months, presence of squint, and any other ocular problems.

RESULTS

At 1 year follow-up, 16.6% of ROP positive children failed a screening visit because of squint (6.66%), refractive error (6.66%), and optic nerve abnormalities (3.33%). At 1 year follow-up, 10% of ROP negative children had failed a screening visit because of squint (3.75 %), refractive error (3.75%), and other pathology (2.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors recommend screening all babies with ROP at 12 months to identify amblyogenic factors such as squint and refractive error. Parents of infants who do not develop ROP should be advised of the increased risk of visual problems in their children and to have their child examined in the preschool period.