Features of the intraocular pressure and axial length in eyes of infant with different stages of retinopathy of prematurity

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31288/Ukr.j.ophthalmol.202652329

Keywords:

retinopathy, preterm children, intraocular pressure, axial length, risk factors, laser photocoagulation, screening, retina, tonometry

Abstract

Purpose. To determine the features of intraocular pressure (IOP) and axial length (AL) in eyes with different stages of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and their relationships with the course of the disease.
Material and Methods. The study consisted of two unrelated parts. Part 1 aimed to determine the relationship between the IOP and the course of ROP and included 61 preterm children (41, 14 and 6 children with no ROP, spontaneous ROP regression, and ROP requiring treatment (e.g., aggressive ROP (AROP)), respectively). The iCare tonometer was used to measure IOP. Part 2 aimed to determine the relationship between the AL and the course of ROP and included an independent sample of 25 preterm children (11, 7 and 7 children with no ROP, spontaneous ROP regression, and ROP requiring treatment (e.g., AROP), respectively). AL was measured by ultrasonography (Accutome). Data were tested for normal distribution and homogeneity of variance using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov-Test and Leven's test, respectively. A one-way analysis of variance with post-hoc Tukey honestly significant difference was used to identify any significant between-group differences. Cohen’s d was used to determine effect size. Spearman rank correlation was used to assess correlations between variables.  Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 for all analyses.
Results. The IOP did not significantly depend on the presence or severity of ROP, gestational age or birth weight (p > 0.05). AL was statistically smaller in children with ROP requiring treatment than in those without ROP (p = 0.007).
Conclusion. The IOP did not significantly depend on the course of ROP, while shorter AL was associated with more severe ROP (p = 0.007).

Author Biography

  • Olena Budivska, Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine

    Junior Research Associate, Ophthalmologist, SI «The Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine» Odesa (Ukraine)

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Published

2026-10-30

Issue

Section

Clinical Ophthalmology