Prediction of ophthalmological problems in 6.5 year‐old prematurely born children

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PurposeThe aim of the study was to describe the ophthalmological outcome at 6.5 years and to identify possible predictive factors visual problems at this age.MethodsThis is a prospective, population‐based study, including all infants born ≤32 weeks gestational age (GA) in Uppsala County, Sweden, during 2004 to 2007. The children were screened for ROP in the neonatal period, visual tracking test were performed at 4 months tests of, and at 2.5 years, ophthalmological, visuospatial and cognitive testing were performed. At 6.5 years, 84 prematurely born and 64 children born at term participated in ophthalmological and visual testing. Of the preterm children, 24 (29%) had ROP and 9 had IVH 3‐4 and/or PVL in the neonatal period.ResultsMean visual acuity (VA) did not differ between preterm and full‐term children, but a “subnormal” VA of ≤0.8 was more common in the preterm than the control group (31% versus 14%) (p < 0.05). No prematurely born child was blind, but two had VA < 0.5. A contrast sensitivity of < 0.5 was more common (36% versus 19%, p < 0.05) and strabismus was also more common in the pre‐terms (8% versus 0%, p < 0.05). Within the preterm group, logistic regression analyses revealed GA, ROP, PVL/IVH, and mild cognitive disability (Bayley III test), to be predictive factors for ophthalmological and visual problems at 6.5 years age.ConclusionsPrematurely born children had an increased prevalence of ophthalmological problems at 6.5 years age. Treated ROP and early neurological problems were risk factors for later ophthalmological dysfunctions. This study also showed that reduced cognitive function at 2.5 years appeared to predict such problems.