Functional Ophthalmic Factors Associated With Extreme Prematurity in Young Adults

Key Points Question What are the long-term ocular sequelae for young adults born extremely preterm (≤25 weeks’ gestation)? Findings In this cohort study conducted in the UK and Ireland with 19 years of follow-up comparing 128 former extremely preterm infants with 65 age-matched full-term controls, extreme prematurity was associated with an increased prevalence of visual and ocular deficits. These deficits varied with, but were not fully explained by, neonatal retinopathy of prematurity status. Meaning Extreme prematurity may have lifelong ocular implications that extend into adulthood; this study suggests that, for individuals born extremely preterm, ocular sequelae may be independent of the presence of neonatal retinopathy of prematurity and may be due to other causes.
Importance Children born preterm (
This birth cohort study evaluates visual function and ocular morbidity in young adults born extremely preterm compared with controls born full term.