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Analysis of refractive & visual development from an infant screening programme
Author(s) -
Grounds Annette R.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
ophthalmic and physiological optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.147
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1475-1313
pISSN - 0275-5408
DOI - 10.1046/j.1475-1313.1997.97873383.x
Subject(s) - hypermetropia , medicine , visual acuity , optometry , astigmatism , refractive error , emmetropia , retinoscopy , ophthalmology , pediatrics , optics , physics
It has been shown by Aurell and Norrsell (1990), that infants who were 4.00D. hypermetropic or more in one meridian at six months showed a 50% tendency to go on to develop squints and/or amblyopia. The other 50% showed emmetropisation characteristic. Similar trends were found by Dobson and Sebris (1989). A prescribing criteria developed in this clinic for infants with higher refractive errors is presented and shows that the 50% trend towards squint and amblyopia can be dramatically reduced. Previous studies have shown that the most rapid decline in hypermetropia occurs between 6 months and 2 years in the normally developing infant eye and similar trends have been reported in infant monkey eyes, (Neuringer et al, 1984). Our results generally agree with this trend. Data will be presented showing the refractive changes of premature and term infants presented separately between 6 months of age and 3 years. Visual acuity and stereo‐acuity development will also be presented from the age of 6 months to 4 years. It is shown that VA development (with normal visual potential), falls in line with the level of prematurity, that is if 3 months early, then at 6 months of age VA level will be at the 3 months level. Visual acuity gradually improves to the expected level, and the time taken will depend on the amount of prematurity. Generally babies who are eight weeks or less premature catch up within their first year. While those greater than eight weeks but less than twelve weeks normalise by eighteen months to two years, with those greater than twelve weeks taking up to three years. This is in agreement with findings of general development delay changes, in prematurity.