Refractive status and optical components in premature infants with and without retinopathy of prematurity: A 4- to 5-year cohort study

This study was aimed to investigate the characteristics of refractive parameters in premature infants and children aged 3–8 years with mild retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to explore the effects of premature delivery and mild ROP on the development of refractive status and ocular optical components. Premature infants who underwent ocular fundus oculi screening in our hospital between January 2009 and February 2011 were included and divided into the ROP group and the non-ROP group. Full-term infants were the controls. The results of the annual ocular examination conducted between 2014 and 2018 were analysed, and the refractive status, optical components, and developmental trends were compared among the three groups. The total follow-up time was 4–5 years. The prevalence of myopia and astigmatism was high in the ROP group ( P