Abstract
Purpose: :
To explore whether nonglaucomatous optic disc cupping in children is related in higher proportion to history of premature birth.
Methods: :
A computerized database search was conducted within a comprehensive pediatric ophthalmology practice of all patients seen over a four year period with nonglaucomatous optic disc cupping. All patients had been followed until they were old enough to obtain office-based intraocular pressure measurement and optic disc photographs. Patients with elevated intraocular pressure, progressive optic disc cupping, or signs of glaucoma were excluded, as were patients with optic atrophy or other optic nerve disease, myopia greater than 5 diopters, or developmental delay precluding adequate examination. History with regard to prematurity was tabulated and compared to a random group of consecutive patients from the same practice.
Results: :
The nonglaucomatous cupping group (mean horizontal cup/disc 0.704 ± SD 0.021) consisted of 45 children, of whom 14 (31%) were premature (all had gestational age at birth 32 weeks or less) and 31 (69%) were not premature (all had gestational age at birth 37 weeks or more). The control group of 128 consecutive patients showed 5 (3.9%) with gestational age at birth of 32 weeks or less (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: :
Proportionality comparison of the prevalence of prematurity 32 weeks gestation or less in the nonglaucomatous cupping group versus the control group demonstrates a statistically and clinically significant increased prevalence of prematurity in pediatric patients with nonglaucomatous cupping.
Keywords: optic nerve • anatomy • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence