Comparison of OCT imaging in children with foveal hypoplasia born full term versus preterm

Purpose 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. Methods 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. Results 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). Conclusion 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.