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A Population-Based Study

Gerd E. Holmström, MD, PhD; Eva K. Larsson, MD, PhD

Arch Ophthalmol. 2005;123:1404-1411.

Objective  To evaluate the development of refraction, expressed as spherical equivalents, in prematurely born children during the first 10 years of life.

Methods  Retinoscopy in cycloplegia was performed at 6 months, 2.5 years, and 10 years of age in 198 prematurely born children from a previous population-based study on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity. Spherical equivalents were calculated. Myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent of less than 0 diopters (D), clinically significant myopia at 10 years of age as –1 D or less, and moderate or high myopia as less than –3D. Hypermetropia greater than +3 D was regarded as significant.

Results  There were no significant differences during the refractive development between the various subgroups of retinopathy of prematurity. Cryotreated eyes had a wider distribution of refractive errors. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the spherical equivalents at 2.5 years of age predicted clinically significant myopia (–1 D) at 10 years of age.

Conclusions  Retinoscopies at 6 months, 2.5 years, and 10 years of age show a similar course of spherical equivalent refractive development regardless of the stage of retinopathy of prematurity. Refraction at 6 months of age is an unreliable predictor, but the refraction at 2.5 years of age seems to be a better tool for identifying refractive errors that will remain at 10 years of age.

Author Affiliations: Department of Ophthalmology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

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