Visual field defects in prematurely born patients with white matter damage of immaturity: a multiple-case study.
OBJECTIVE
White matter damage of immaturity may affect visual, motor and cognitive functions. This multiple-case study presents standardized perimetry results in six teenagers and young adults born prematurely with visual dysfunction due to white matter damage of immaturity of pre- or perinatal origin.


METHODS
Six subjects, aged 13-25 years, born at a gestational age of 28-34 weeks, with white matter damage of immaturity documented by MRI, and optic disc appearances documented by fundus photography, were examined with manual and computerized quantitative perimetry.


RESULTS
All subjects had subnormal visual field (VF) function, although the depth and extension of the VF defects differed between subjects. The inferior VF function was more deviant than the superior in all cases. The concordance between the VF defects detected with the different techniques was good, although the static computerized techniques revealed slightly more abnormality.


CONCLUSIONS
White matter damage of immaturity may affect the VF. The lower VF is often more affected than the upper. The abnormalities can be demonstrated by both manual and computerized perimetry.
Jacobson
Lena
L
Department of Paediatric Neurology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Flodmark
Olof
O
Martin
Lene
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology / Q000209:etiology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology / Q000209:etiology*; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000379:methods; D014794:Visual Fields