[Refractive error's distribution and clinical characteristics of preterm and full-term children].

PURPOSE: To observe the abnormal refractive state and clinical characteristics in preterm and full-term children in the department of pediatric ophthalmology.

METHODS

The ocular refraction status of 358 eyes in 51 preterm and 128 full-term children were checked by retinoscopy in dilated pupil after being used atropine eye drop．

RESULTS

There were 157 eyes with hyperopia accounting for 61.3% in preterm children, 25 eyes with hyperopia accounting for 24.5% in full-term children. The main type of refractive errors in preterm children was astigmatism, especially high-astigmatism, mixed astigmatism. And the morbidity of astigmatism, hyper-astigmatism, mixed astigmatism in preterm children was higher than those in full-term children.

CONCLUSION

Astigmatism, especially high astigmatism and complex mixed astigmatism are important reasons for low vision in preterm children. Clinically, there is close relationship between astigmatism and amblyopia. So it can not be ignored with preterm children's visual development, and refractive screening could be bring forward to two years old.