Ocular morbidity in pre-term born children: An analysis of the first three years

Premature birth signals increased risk for abnormal ocular development. This study examined the ocular morbidities in preterm children. 150 pre-term children born from January 2011–July 2013 who came for regular follow-up to the ophthalmology outpatient department were included in the study. They underwent detailed ocular evaluation. 99 (66%) of the 150 pre-term born children were found to have ocular morbidity. Refractive error was found to be the most common ocular morbidity. On follow-up examinations, 85 (56.7%) of the 150 children developed a refractive error of which 79 (93%) had astigmatism. Refractive errors were strongly associated with extreme pre-term birth. 35 (23.3%) children developed Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) out of which 7 (20%) required prophylactic laser therapy. Relation between treated ROP and occurrence of refractive error was found to be statistically significant. ROP was strongly associated with Extreme Low birth weight and extreme pre-term birth. 14 (9.3%) had strabismus all of whom had a refractive error. Esotropia was found to more common (78.6%). No child presented with cataract. Thus, it is recommended to get a mandatory ophthalmology evaluation of preterm children at birth, followed up regularly (6 monthly till second year of life and then yearly). Early diagnosis and management will ensure optimal vision development.