Risk of refractive pathology after spontaneously regressed ROP in emmetropic patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the development of refractive error abnormalities after a normal first examination in children with spontaneously regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).


METHODS
Two hundred twenty-six children with a history of spontaneously regressed ROP who had a cycloplegic refraction prior to 18 months of age were examined by a pediatric ophthalmologist. Children with a history of threshold ROP, strabismus, or a structural abnormality of the eye were excluded. A normal cycloplegic retinoscopy was defined as plano to less than +3.5 diopters of hypermetropia, less than +1.50 of symmetric astigmatism, and no anisometropia greater than 1.5 diopters in any meridian.


RESULTS
Of the 226 children, 87 had a second examination and cycloplegic refraction at a mean of 2 years after the initial visit. In 63 of the children, the second examination and refraction remained normal. Three (3.4%) children had significant refractive error and were treated with spectacles: two had anisometropia and one had myopic astigmatism. Twenty-one had symmetric low magnitude myopia that did not warrant treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Children with spontaneously regressed ROP and no significant refractive error on cycloplegic retinoscopy at first follow-up examination have a risk of developing ametropia that is similar to that of the general population. Such children can likely be observed with a verbal vision screening in the pediatrician's office at 3 to 4 years of age.
Morrison
David G
DG
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
Emanuel
Matthew
M
Donahue
Sean P
SP
D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology