Refractive status and optical components of premature babies with or without retinopathy of prematurity at 3-4 years old.

Objective: To investigate the refractive status and optical components of premature babies with or without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at 3-4 years old, and to explore the influence of prematurity and ROP on the refractive status and optical components.

Methods: Premature babies receiving fundus examination were recruited into ROP group and non-ROP group, with age-matched full-term babies as controls.

Results: The incidence of myopia was the highest in ROP (3/59, 5.08%). The incidence of astigmatism was significantly different between ROP (37.29%, 22/59) and controls (17.86%, 15/84). The corneal refractive power in ROP and non-ROP was more potent compared with controls (P<0.05); corneal curvature was steeper (P<0.05); lens thickness was thinner (P<0.05); ocular axial length was shorter P<0.05). The gestational age was negatively related to corneal astigmatism and astigmatism, positively associated with vitreous thickness and axial length. The birth-weight was negatively associated with corneal astigmatism, astigmatism and corneal refractive power, positively related to corneal radius of curvature, vitreous thickness and ocular axial length.

Conclusions: Premature babies with or without ROP are susceptible to myopia and astigmatism. ROP, prematurity and low birth-weight synergistically influence the development of refractive status and optical components, of which the prematurity and low birth-weight are more important.