Myopia Progression in Low Birth Weight Infants: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Context: Low birth weight infant is prone to an altered ocular development in childhood, including refractive errors of the eye. Myopia (short-sightedness) is the most common refractive error disease of the eye that causes reduced vision globally. Evidence Acquisition: A PubMed literature search was conducted using the following search terms; low birth weight infant, myopia, prematurity, and refractive error. Results: Commonly, the underlying cause of myopia is excessive growth of the eye which is under the influence of early life impression on human growth. Children with low birth weight have significantly shallower anterior chamber depth and greater lens thickness. At the ages of 10-12 years, preterm children have an increased likelihood of all refractive error statement. However, in low birth weight children, a 1 diopter of myopic change has occurred over the first decade of life. Conclusion: The progression of myopia is higher in children with low birth weight, suggesting that prematurity and low birth weight may simultaneously affect the development of optical components, leading to myopia.