PERIVENTRICULAR LEUKOMALACIA CAUSES VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN PRETERM CHILDREN - A STUDY ON THE ETIOLOGIES OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN A POPULATION-BASED GROUP OF PRETERM CHILDREN BORN 1989-95 IN THE COUNTY OF VARMLAND, SWEDEN

Purpose: To determine the causes of visual impairment in a population- based group of visually impaired preterm children. Methods: Ophthalmol ogical examination and magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomograp hy of the brain were performed in all visually impaired preterm childr en born 1989-95 in Varmland. Results: Ten of 18 children had periventr icular leukomalacia affecting the optic radiation, six had other lesio ns or malformations in the posterior visual pathways/cortex, but no ch ild had visually impairing retinopathy of prematurity. Conclusion: We conclude that cerebral lesions or malformations are common causes of t he visual functional deficit in visually impaired children born preter m. Brain damage should be suspected in a prematurely born child who pr esents with either of the signs: fixation difficulties, strabismus or nystagmus.