Abstract
Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to calculate the cup/disc ratio (CDR) and the area of the optic nerve in Mexican preterm newborns using two-dimensional photographs taken by the RetCam 3. Low birth weight and low gestational age have been found to influence optic disc morphology.1 Racial differences in (CDR) are also present at birth.2
Methods:
The (CDR) was calculated in 50 consecutive preterm newborns using the RetCam 3 following routine retinal scans for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) one month after birth. We analyzed the distribution and correlation of the (CDR) with respect to disc area, weight, sex, intraventricular hemorrhages, and gestational age.
Results:
The mean (CDR) observed in our population was 0.402 with a standard deviation (SD) of ± 0.049. There is a weak correlation of weight with optic nerve area, correlation= 0.161 and strong correlation between weight and intraventricular hemorrhages with a Prob>Chi Square = 0.0150.<br /> A symmetric distribution between right eye and left eye was observed.
Conclusions:
The CDR and the area of the optic nerve can be calculated accurately using two-dimensional photographs taken by the RetCam 3. However, larger studies may be able to calculate the (CDR) more accurately. Additionally, three-dimensional images would likely assist in elucidating the reliability of RetCam 3-calculated (CDR).