Amblyopia risk factors in premature children
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and timing of presentation of amblyopia risk factors in premature children during the first three years of life. This was a retrospective study including 145 of 292 premature children. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening group versus non-ROP screening group features were mean gestational age of 35 weeks versus 30 weeks, birth weight of 2510g versus 1400g and 35% female versus 38%. Of 32 ROP screened, 10 developed ROP. The cumulative increase of any risk factor was not significantly different between the two groups throughout the three-year follow-up. Three-year incidence rates were not significant and cumulative incidence for strabismus and refractive error was not significant. Thus no differences were found at three years between those who died and did not qualify for acute-phase ROP screening. However, the prevalence of refractive error among all the cohort was higher than for the general population. Therefore it may be appropriate to screen all premature children for refractive errors and suggest this occurs at 24 months.

Amblyopia risk factors in premature children in the first 3 years of life.
Hennein L, Robbins J, de Alba Campomanes AG.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY AND STRABISMUS
2019;56:88-94.