Ophthalmological long-term sequelae of premature birth-Persisting into adulthood : Eye development and premature birth anamnesis

Abstract

Premature birth and the postnatal occurrence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are the main risk factors for reduced visual acuity and blindness in childhood and adolescence accompanied by numerous morphological ocular changes. It can be assumed that these alterations persist throughout life and could represent apotential risk factor for ocular diseases, although little is known to date about the long-term effects of prematurity on ocular function and morphology in adulthood. The aim of the present study is to review the literature on the long-term effects of prematurity and associated factors. Individuals born preterm exhibit reduced visual acuity, lower visual quality of life, and steeper corneal configuration in adulthood. Furthermore, individuals with advanced ROP and need for ROP treatment are at particularly high risk for myopic refractive error, the occurrence of strabismus, and increased lens opacities with thicker lenses. Low gestational age is associated with thinner peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness as well as thicker foveal retinal thickness and more frequent occurrence of foveal hypoplasia. In addition, data from the Gutenberg Health Study showed that low birth weight as asurrogate marker for prematurity and fetal growth restriction are associated with an increased prevalence of age-related macular degeneration as well as more frequently with diabetes and consequently diabetic retinopathy. Premature birth and associated factors lead to life-long functional and morphological ocular changes. There is evidence that this can lead to retinal diseases later in life and thus, there appear to be fetal origins for adult eye disease. This may have implications for ophthalmic controls and its intervals in adulthood.