title: Ophthalmological problems of the premature infant.
abstract: Preterm infants are more likely than term infants to have significant abnormalities of all parts of the visual system leading to reduced vision. The most common problem is retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The frequency and severity of this disorder is inversely related to gestational age. Damage ranges from minor to catastrophic. Preterm infants also have higher rates of amblyopia, strabismus, refractive error, and cortical visual impairment. The later problem is largely associated with neonatal brain injury. Years later, these children may develop glaucoma and retinal detachments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-9028, USA. mrepka@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Michael X
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Repka
mesh_terms: D000550:Amblyopia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D053685:Laser Therapy; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000379:methods; D009896:Optic Atrophy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013285:Strabismus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery