Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate optic disc morphology in relation to severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Methods: :
Widefield images (130°, Retcam system) of 114 eyes of 57 consecutive premature babies (mean gestational age 27.2 weeks, range 23 to 32 weeks, examined between October 2004 to July 2005) without ROP or with stage 1 to 3 of ROP were analyzed regarding optic disc shape, localization of the arteriovenous vessel trunk, and the proportion between nasal and temporal neuroretinal rim. The cross–sectional study included one examination per baby. All examinations included had been performed within two weeks before the calculated birth date.
Results: :
All optic discs had a high–oval disc shape. There was a tendency towards a higher proportion of vertical to horizontal optic disc diameter in all eyes (n = 42) with ROP compared to all eyes without ROP (n = 72, non significant). Eyes with ROP stage 3 (n = 9) had a significantly higher proportion of vertical to horizontal optic disc diameter than eyes with ROP stage 1 (n = 16, p < 0.05). There was neither a statistically significant difference between the proportion of vertical and horizontal optic disc diameter in eyes with ROP stage 1 and ROP stage 2 nor between eyes with ROP stage 2 and 3. Only two eyes included in the study had ROP stage 2 in zone I, all other eyes had zone II disease. Thus no statistical analysis could be conducted regarding the influence of the retinal zone of ROP on optic disc morphology.
Conclusions: :
Severity of ROP seems to be positively correlated with a higher proportion of vertical to horizontal optic disc diameter. Further longitudinal studies have to show the development of optic disc shape dependent on the various stages of ROP.
Keywords: retinopathy of prematurity • optic disc • development