MYOPIA IN CHILDREN BORN PREMATURE OR WITH LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT

Purpose: To evaluate the association of myopia or astigmatism in child ren without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) born premature or with lo w birth weight. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in S ingapore where 527 children from three kindergartens aged 2 to 7 years without a history of ROP were recruited. Information on birth weight and gestational age at birth was obtained from a personal booklet and the refractive error in spherical equivalents was measured using dista nce photoretinoscopy. The data was analysed with univariate analysis a nd logistic regression models. Results: There was no difference in the prevalence of myopia in children born premature or with low birth wei ght. There was also no difference in astigmatism in children born prem ature or with low birth weight. Conclusion: This study shows no relati onship between astigmatism or myopia with prematurity or low birth wei ght in children born without retinopathy of prematurity.