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Astigmatism may develop in eyes with high-risk pre-threshold ROP
Ophthalmology. 2011;118(12):2326-2329.
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More than half of children born with high-risk pre-threshold retinopathy of prematurity developed astigmatism of 1 D or more by 6 years of age, and nearly 25% of these eyes had astigmatism of at least 2 D, a study found.
"These findings reinforce the need for follow-up eye examinations through early grade school years in infants with high-risk pre-threshold ROP," the study authors said. "Recognition of high astigmatism and astigmatism, or both, at oblique axis in these patients is important, because treatment of refractive amblyopia may be more successful with early intervention."
Data were culled from the Early Treatment for ROP study, a multicenter trial that included 401 infants with birth weights less than 1,251 grams and high-risk pre-threshold ROP in one or both eyes. Patients were randomized to undergo early treatment or conventional management.
Prevalence of astigmatism was assessed at 4 years, 5 years and 6 years of age.
Study results showed that the prevalence of astigmatism increased from 42% at 4 years to 52% at 6 years in the early treatment group and from 47% at 4 years to 54% at 6 years in the conventional management group. Between-group differences were not statistically significant.
Timing of treatment, zone of acute-phase ROP and presence of plus disease did not affect the presence of astigmatism, according to the study.
Eyes with ROP residua had a higher prevalence of astigmatism and high astigmatism.