Strabismus, stereoacuity, accommodation and convergence in young adults born premature and screened for retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate strabismus, stereoacuity, accommodation and convergence in prematurely born young adults; screened for retinopathy of prematurity in the neonatal period and compare with term‐born individuals of the same age. Materials and methods The study participants included 59 prematurely born individuals with a birthweight of ≤1,500 grams and 44 term‐born controls, all born during 1988–1990 in Stockholm County, Sweden. Ocular alignment was assessed with a cover test, stereoacuity with the TNO stereo test and the amplitude of accommodation and the near point of convergence with the Royal Air Force Rule. Results Seven of 59 (12%) preterms had manifest strabismus, 4/59 (7%) had esotropia and 3/59 (5%) exotropia. One of 44 (2%) controls had esotropia; no other controls had manifest strabismus. Stereoacuity was within normal limits in 38/59 (64%) preterms and 43/44 (98%) controls, p < 0.01; the difference remained after excluding those with strabismus. A neurological complication at 2.5 years of age was the strongest risk factor for subnormal stereoacuity within the preterm group after excluding those with strabismus. The mean amplitude of accommodation was poorer in the preterms than the controls in better (p < 0.05) and worse eyes (p < 0.05). The preterms were more likely to have an amplitude of accommodation below the minimum, according to Hofstetter’s equation. There were no differences between the groups regarding the near point of convergence. Conclusion Prematurely born young adults had a higher prevalence of strabismus, reduced stereoacuity and worse amplitude of accommodation than term‐born controls.

Refractive error, accommodation and lens opacification in adults born preterm and full‐term: Results from the Gutenberg Prematurity Eye Study (GPES)

“…This is in line with the data of Pétursdóttir (Pétursdóttir et al. 2021b) who reported more anisometropia in participants in the cryotreated group. Furthermore, our analyses revealed higher astigmatismus and anisoastigmatismus for the ROP treated group.…”

“…In a Swedish study (Pétursdóttir et al. 2021b), the authors reported that the development of spherical equivalent from 6 months to 25 to 29 years in adulthood diminishes with a stable refractive error at 10 years old. The present study highlights the important long‐term effects of postnatal ROP treatment, particularly of cryotherapy on the refractive error in adulthood.…”

“…(Pétursdóttir et al. 2021b) reported a slightly increased risk of astigmatismus in the participants born preterm compared to those born full‐term. Darlow and colleagues showed that an astigmatismus >2 diopters was more frequently observed in individuals born preterm compared to the control group (Darlow et al.…”

Ophthalmic sequelae of prematurity in late childhood and adulthood: A review

“…48 12% of preterm subjects had manifest strabismus compared to 2% of controls, and stereoacuity was normal in 98% of controls but just 64% of preterm subjects. 48 This was the first study of its kind that focused on former premature adults with and without ROP and that extended to adulthood for assessment of stereoacuity and strabismus. 48 A cohort study based in the UK and Ireland evaluated individuals born from March 1 to December 31, 1995 including 128 participants born at 22-25 weeks GA and 65 full-term age-matched controls.…”

“…48 This was the first study of its kind that focused on former premature adults with and without ROP and that extended to adulthood for assessment of stereoacuity and strabismus. 48 A cohort study based in the UK and Ireland evaluated individuals born from March 1 to December 31, 1995 including 128 participants born at 22-25 weeks GA and 65 full-term age-matched controls. 49 All participants were 19 years old at the time of data collection.…”