Myopia in children born premature or with low birth weight.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association of myopia or astigmatism in children without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) born premature or with low birth weight.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Singapore where 527 children from three kindergartens aged 2 to 7 years without a history of ROP were recruited. Information on birth weight and gestational age at birth was obtained from a personal booklet and the refractive error in spherical equivalents was measured using distance photoretinoscopy. The data was analysed with univariate analysis and logistic regression models.

RESULTS

There was no difference in the prevalence of myopia in children born premature or with low birth weight. There was also no difference in astigmatism in children born premature or with low birth weight.

CONCLUSION

This study shows no relationship between astigmatism or myopia with prematurity or low birth weight in children born without retinopathy of prematurity.