Abstract
Purpose:
To study the morphology of the central retina in a population of ex-preterm babies with an history of regressed mild ROP and to compare these findings with visual acuity
Methods:
Six babies (12 eyes) with a mean age of 1267 days (range 1071-1460 days) underwent OCT macular examination with Spectralis (Heidelberg Engineering). All babies had a documented history of mild ROP, fully regressed. Their mean GA was 28 weeks (ranging from 24 to 30 weeks) and mean BW was 1144, grams (ranging from 660 to 1500 grams). ROP experts retrospectively examined OCT scans. Visual acuity was also tested using Teller Acuity card.
Results:
The median thickness of the fovea was 249,0 microns, ranging from 224 to 302 microns. The foveal pit appears shallow and photoreceptors layer thin compare to adults. Visual acuity was 6,8 cycles/degree in all 12 eyes.
Conclusions:
Our findings demonstrate that some signs already described in the acute phase of ROP, persist over the years in the ex premature retina. This is likely to have long lasting implications for visual function of the child.
Keywords: 706 retinopathy of prematurity