Structural changes of the macula on optical coherence tomography in children with a history of retinopathy of prematurity

AimTo evaluate structural and locational changes of the macula and their relationship with visual acuity (VA) in children with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).MethodsPremature children aged 7-12 years, included in the study. Children were divided into 3 groups: those without ROP (Group 1), those with spontaneously regressed ROP (Group 2), and those with laser-treated ROP (Group 3). Age-matched healthy term children were included in the control group. All children underwent eye examination. Axial length (AL), central macular thickness (CMT) and central choroidal thickness (CCT) were measured on optical coherence tomography (OCT). Horizontal distance between the foveal center (FC) and the temporal edge of the optic disc (OD) (HD-FTOD); horizontal distance between the vertical line passing through the FC and the inferior edge of OD (HD-FIOD); the closest distance between the foveal-located ETDRS grid and the edge of OD (D-FGOD); vertical distance between horizontal lines passing through the FC and tangent to the inferior edge of OD (VD-FIOD) were calculated. The results were compared between groups.ResultsMedian VA was lower in group 3 compared to group 1 and control (p =0.014). CMT was higher in group 2 and 3 compared to group 1 and control (p <0.001). There was no difference in CCT between the groups (p =0.093). HD-FTOD and HD-FIOD were longer in premature groups compared to the control (p <0.001), but VD-FIOD was similar in all groups (p =0.412). Increased minus cylinder and HD-FTOD were associated with increased logMAR scores and poor VA; increased age, birth weight, gestational age, AL, and VD-FIOD were found to be associated with decreased logMAR scores and good VA.ConclusionROP is associated with an increase in macular thickness. Foveal hypoplasia (macular developmental arrest) is common in cases with ROP. Prematurity, ROP and especially the development of ROP requiring treatment cause a temporal displacement of the macula. This displacement negatively affects visual prognosis. ROP affects both anatomical and functional maturation of the macula.