Issue 6/2023
Ilieva A., Manolova, Y.
Specialized eye hospital for active treatment (SBOBAL-Varna), Medical University – Varna
The improved survival rate of preterm infants in recent decades is the result of development in neonatal care, but it also brings some issues related to the long-term follow-up, treatment and rehabilitation of these children. The ophthalmological problems of preterm infants that are associated with lasting negative visual consequences, are well known. These include retinopathy of prematurity, strabismus, refractive anomalies, decreased contrast sensitivity, cortical visual impairment, etc. Retinopathy of prematurity is still the leading preventable cause of childhood blindness worldwide. And while screening program exists for this condition, aiming for maximum early intervention when needed, there is no such program for other conditions. The diseases listed above can adversely affect visual function and therefore all aspects of childhood development- motor, mental and cognitive. Our aim was to review the literature synthesizing current information regarding the most common ocular problems of prematurity. Continued study of these conditions, along with the mechanisms of their occurrence, is essential for the development and refinement of childhood blindness prevention programs. The care of children‘s eye health, especially that of premature infants, is a shared responsibility between pediatricians, general practitioners, and ophthalmologists that continues throughout much of these children‘s lives.
Address for correspondence:
Ilieva-Krasteva, A.
„Tsar Osvoboditel“, Blvd. 31, fl. 10, ap. 31
9002, Varna
e-mail: an.ilieva1@gmail.com