title: [Refractive errors and strabismus in premature infants].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to investigate the incidence of refractive errors and strabismus in premature infants relative to their individual birth weight.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated 107 premature infants with birth weight < 1250 g (group A, n = 54) and > 1250 g (group B, n = 53). All children were evaluated at the ages of 6 and 24 months for their spherical equivalent and the presence of high myopia (< or = 6.0 D) and strabismus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 6 months the spherical equivalent was -0.93 +/- 4.2 D in group A and 1.09 +/- 1.9 D in group B, at 24 months -0.75 +/- 5.0 D vs 1.44 +/- 1.9 D (P < 0.01). At 6 months the incidence of high myopia was 10% in group A and 0% in group B, at 2 years 12% vs 2% (P < 0.01). Low birth weight and a long period of artificial ventilation correlated with the development of high myopia. At 6 months 21% of group A and 8.5% of group B showed strabismus, at 2 years 25% vs. 8.5% (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the increased incidence of high myopia and strabismus we recommend routine retinoscopy and orthoptic evaluation at the age of 6 months in every child weighing less than 1250 g at birth.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Kinderaugenheilkunde, Universitäts-Augenklinik, Frankfurt/Main.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Zubcov
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Subklev
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schlösser
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stärk
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013285:Strabismus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015351:Vision Screening
vernacular_title: Refraktionsfehler und Strabismus bei Frühgeborenen.