Purpose: To compare retinal layer thickness and choroidal thickness profiles in preterm and full-term children using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).
Methods: We performed horizontal and vertical SD-OCT crosshair scans through the fovea with and without an enhanced depth technique in 31 premature and 30 full-term children. Retinal layer and choroidal thicknesses were measured at various locations including the fovea and 1.0 and 3.0 mm nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior to the fovea. After adjusting for age and the child's axial length, we compared retinal layer and choroidal thicknesses at the measurement points.
Results: Total retinal thickness and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness at the foveal center in preterm children (256.00 ± 30.71 μm, 141.87 ± 28.75 μm, respectively) were larger than those in full-term children (217.57 ± 10.64 μm, 101.22 ± 10.90 μm, respectively, P < 0.001). Gestational age at birth was inversely correlated with both total retinal and ONL thicknesses (P < 0.001). Choroidal thickness 3.0 mm temporal to the fovea in preterm children (283.75 ± 60.47 μm) was significantly less than that in full-term children (339.89 ± 90.32, P = 0.010). Retinopathy of prematurity staging showed a marginal inverse correlation with choroidal thickness 3.0 mm temporal to the fovea (P = 0.053). Visual acuity in preterm children was not correlated with retinal thickness or choroidal thickness.
Conclusions: Our SD-OCT data demonstrated an increased total retinal thickness and ONL thickness at the foveal center and decreased choroidal thickness 3.0 mm temporal to the fovea in preterm children. Further studies are needed to better understand the association between these structural changes and visual functions in preterm children.