Long-term ocular sequelae in preterm Thai infants: A comprehensive retrospective study

Prematurity can lead to various ocular conditions, including strabismus, refractive errors, amblyopia, and cataracts. However, comprehensive data on these outcomes in preterm Thai infants is limited. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and assess long-term ocular sequelae, such as cataracts, refractive errors, strabismus, and amblyopia, among preterm infants at Phramongkutklao Hospital. A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for premature infants screened for ROP between January 2011 and April 2022. Data were collected at birth, and follow-up visits were analyzed at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years of age. The primary outcomes included the incidence of ROP and the prevalence of long-term ocular sequelae. A total of 308 preterm infants were included in the study. The incidence of ROP was found to be 31.5%. At the 2-year follow-up, the prevalence of cataracts was 0.65%, strabismus 14.4%, and amblyopia 6%. Refractive errors were observed in 51.8% of the infants, with 18.1% showing myopia and 33.7% hyperopia. Logistic regression analysis indicated that delayed growth and development (adjusted odds ratio = 13.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.83-96.68) and amblyopia (adjusted odds ratio = 19.65, 95% confidence interval: 2.85-135.54) were significantly associated with an increased risk of developing strabismus, after adjusting for confounding factors. The study identified an ROP incidence of 31.5% in the preterm cohort. At 2 years, long-term ocular sequelae included a prevalence of cataracts (0.65%), strabismus (14.4%), amblyopia (6%), and refractive errors (51.8%). Delayed growth and development, along with amblyopia, were found to elevate the risk of strabismus development significantly.