AimsTo assess visual function in young adults born preterm and compare with full-term individuals of the same age.MethodsYoung adults, born preterm (birth weight ≤1500 g) in 1988–1990, previously included in a population-based study on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Stockholm County, Sweden were included. A control group of participants born at term, in the same area during the same time period, was used for comparison. Best-corrected visual acuities were assessed at distance and near with logMAR charts. Distance visual acuity was also measured with single symbols to calculate crowding. Visual fields were measured with Humphrey 24-2 and the mean deviation was noted. Contrast sensitivity was assessed with Vistech contrast sensitivity test and the area under the curve was calculated.ResultsFifty-nine preterm (females 37) and 44 full-term (females 18) individuals were included. All individuals were between 25 and 29 years of age. Preterm individuals had significantly lower distance visual acuity (mean −0.08 (SD 0.11) vs −0.14 (SD 0.07) logMAR, p=0.009), near visual acuity (mean −0.08 (SD 0.11) vs −0.13 (SD 0.06) logMAR, p=0.049), mean deviation (mean −1.09 (SD 1.13) vs −0.80 (SD 1.03) dB, p=0.05) and contrast sensitivity (mean 2.02 (SD 0.19) vs 2.16 (SD 0.14), p<0.001) in the better eye compared with full-term individuals. The differences in distance visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were also evident after excluding persons with previous ROP and neurological complications. In multivariable analyses, treated ROP was a risk factor for reduced near visual acuity and visual fields.ConclusionVisual function seems to be reduced in prematurely born individuals even in adulthood. The reason may be prematurity per se since individuals without previous ROP or neurological complications are also affected.SynopsisVisual function, assessed as visual acuity, visual fields and contrast sensitivity, was reduced in young adults born preterm and previously included in a population-based study on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity, as compared with controls.
Preterm birth can affect a child´s development in many ways. The immature central nervous system is vulnerable, not only to injury but also to disruptions of normal development. With improvements in neonatal intensive care and survival of more immature infants, the rate of major disabilities associated with preterm births has remained relatively constant, while milder neurocognitive deficits have become more prominent. 1-3 A higher prevalence of low intelligence quotient (IQ) among very low birth weight preterm individuals than in term controls has been reported. 4 Some studies have shown that children born preterm have more difficulties with nonverbal reasoning and visuospatial tasks than verbal ability. 5,6 This pattern seems to persist in adolescence and
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Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate strabismus, stereoacuity, accommodation and convergence in prematurely born young adults; screened for retinopathy of prematurity in the neonatal period and compare with term‐born individuals of the same age. Materials and methods The study participants included 59 prematurely born individuals with a birthweight of ≤1,500 grams and 44 term‐born controls, all born during 1988–1990 in Stockholm County, Sweden. Ocular alignment was assessed with a cover test, stereoacuity with the TNO stereo test and the amplitude of accommodation and the near point of convergence with the Royal Air Force Rule. Results Seven of 59 (12%) preterms had manifest strabismus, 4/59 (7%) had esotropia and 3/59 (5%) exotropia. One of 44 (2%) controls had esotropia; no other controls had manifest strabismus. Stereoacuity was within normal limits in 38/59 (64%) preterms and 43/44 (98%) controls, p < 0.01; the difference remained after excluding those with strabismus. A neurological complication at 2.5 years of age was the strongest risk factor for subnormal stereoacuity within the preterm group after excluding those with strabismus. The mean amplitude of accommodation was poorer in the preterms than the controls in better (p < 0.05) and worse eyes (p < 0.05). The preterms were more likely to have an amplitude of accommodation below the minimum, according to Hofstetter’s equation. There were no differences between the groups regarding the near point of convergence. Conclusion Prematurely born young adults had a higher prevalence of strabismus, reduced stereoacuity and worse amplitude of accommodation than term‐born controls.
Purpose: To evaluate refraction and its development in young adults born prematurely, screened for retinopathy of prematurity, and to compare with individuals of the same age born at term. Materials and methods: The participants were 59 preterms, with a birthweight of ≤ 1500 g, and 43 term-born controls, all born during 1988-1990. The refraction was measured in cycloplegia, and the spherical equivalent (SE) was calculated. The axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth and corneal radius (CR) were measured, and the AL/CR ratio was calculated. Results: The mean SE was À0.5 dioptres (D) (SD 2.5) in right eyes (REs) and À0.4 D (SD 2.3) in left eyes (LEs) of preterms, and À0.2 D (SD 1.5) in REs and À0.2 D (SD 1.5) in LEs of controls. The distribution of refraction was wider in the preterm group compared to the control group. In the preterm group, 12% had a SE ≥ 1.5 D, but none of the controls. Ten preterms, but none of the controls, had anisometropia ≥ 1.0 D. The prevalence of astigmatism ≥ 1.0 D was higher in preterms than controls. The SE decreased around 1 D in both preterms and controls from 10 to 25 years of age. The AL and CR were shorter in the preterms; however, the AL/CR ratio was similar in both groups. Within the preterm group, cryotherapy was correlated with astigmatism, but not with SE and anisometropia at this age. Conclusion: Prematurely born individuals had higher prevalence of refractive errors in young adulthood compared to term-born controls.
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