Retinopathy of prematurity and other ocular problems in premature infants weighing less than 1500 g at birth.

PURPOSE: To estimate the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity and other ocular problems in a population of preterm infants.

METHODS

This retrospective study included all infants with gestational age (GA) <32 weeks and birth weight (BW) <1500 g cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) over a period of nine years (1992-2000). Ophthalmological examination was started the 4th week of life and included refractive examination, examination of the cornea and funduscopy under mydriasis. An ocular motility test was done after the 2nd month.

RESULTS

The study included 194 infants. Stage I and II retinopathy occurred in 51 infants but regressed spontaneously. Five of the 194 (2.5%) had to undergo cryopexy. Optic disc atrophy was observed in association with peri-intraventricular hemorrhage (PIIVH) (grade IV) in seven infants. Fifteen infants (7.7%) had retinal hemorrhages which were absorbed by three months of age. Almost 20% of the study infants developed high refractive errors and 13.4% strabismus.

CONCLUSIONS

Not only retinopathy of prematurity, but other serious ocular problems were observed in this population of preterm infants. The role of PIIVH III-IV in the pathogenesis of certain ocular problems needs further elucidation.