Effects of early reduced light exposure on central visual development in preterm infants

The aim of this study was to determine, in infants born at less than or equ al to 29 weeks postmenstrual age until 32 weeks postmenstrual age, whether reduction to light stimulation by occlusion of eyes affected central visual development. The pattern visual-evoked potential responses at 41 and 51 we eks postmenstrual age and 3 y of age did not differ between infants subject ed or not to ocular occlusion. Hence, an early marked reduction in light st imulation in preterm infants does not seem deleterious to visual developmen t.