%0 Journal Article
%T Comparison of OCT imaging in children with foveal hypoplasia born full term versus preterm.
%A Jin J
%A Hendricks D
%A Lehman S
%A Friess A
%A Salvin J
%A Reid J
%A Wang J
%J Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol
%V 260
%N 9
%D Sep 2022
%M 35445879
%F 3.535
%R 10.1007/s00417-022-05664-z
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>It is unknown if foveal hypoplasia in full-term born children differs in structure and function from that observed in children born preterm. We compared macular structure and visual function in children with history of prematurity and full-term children diagnosed with foveal hypoplasia.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We compared three groups of subjects (3-18 years old): (1) full-term hypoplasia (FH, n = 56, gestational age ≥ 36 weeks); (2) preterm hypoplasia (n = 57, gestational age ≤ 31 weeks, birth weight ≤ 1500 g); (3) control (n = 54), full-term normal. Using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography volume-scan images, macular structure within 3 mm of Early-Treatment-Diabetic-Retinopathy-Study circle was segmented. Total, inner, and outer foveal thickness of right eyes were compared. Foveal hypoplasia was graded according to the Leicester Grading System.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The mean total foveal thickness in micrometers was 263 ± 19 for the control, 299 ± 30 for the full-term hypoplasia, and 294 ± 28 for the preterm hypoplasia groups (F = 33, p < 0.001). Foveal inner retinal layer thickness differed among groups (p < 0.001), but not in the outer layers (p = 0.10). The full-term hypoplasia group had significantly thicker foveal inner layers (p < 0.05) and greater frequency of higher-grade hypoplasia than the preterm hypoplasia group. LogMAR visual acuity was worse in the full-term hypoplasia group (0.35 ± 0.36) than in the preterm hypoplasia group (0.19 ± 0.27, p < 0.001).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Fovea was thicker in both hypoplasia groups. The full-term hypoplasia group is associated with more severe structure changes and poorer visual function than the preterm hypoplasia group.