The authors present a retrospective case review of all children aged under one year of age diagnosed with an ocular disorder over a 10-year period. The aim of the study was to describe incidence and types of ocular disorder in this young cohort. The data source was the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Exclusion criteria included diagnosis not being supported by clinical records, duplicate records, denial of research authorisation, living out of area and incomplete records. A total of 4223 children were included in the study. A complete review of each medical record was conducted. A further exclusion filter included refractive errors less than 5 dioptres in the absence of anisometropia or amblyopia. The incidence of ocular disorders was 1 in 4.9 live births. The incidence over the more recent time period appears to have decreased to 1 in 6.7 live births, this is significantly different to the initial years covered by the study. Diagnosis was considered congenital in almost half, however only 5% received the diagnosis as a newborn; the median age of diagnosis was three months old. 7.4% were considered to have vision-threatening conditions. Incidence per live births is reported for the most common ocular disorders including strabismus, retinopathy of prematurity, ptosis, nystagmus and cataract. Conjunctivitis and nasolacrimal duct obstruction were the two most common diagnoses. This is the first such population study of children in the first year of life to report ocular disorders. The authors acknowledge the limitations associated with the retrospective nature of the study specifically with reference to incomplete data and variable follow-up. It is possible that reduced visual acuity is underdiagnosed due to the difficulties assessing this age group. This study paves the way for further epidemiology research in a prospective study with a more ethnically diverse population.
How common are ocular disorders in the first 12-months of life?
Reviewed by Lauren Hepworth
Incidence and distribution of ocular disorders in the first year of life.
CONTRIBUTOR
Lauren R Hepworth
University of Liverpool; Honorary Stroke Specialist Clinical Orthoptist, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust; St Helen’s and Knowsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
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