Comparative Study on Optic Disc Features of Premature Infants and Term Infants

Abstract Background To study optic disc features of premature infants and compare to that of term infants to explore the pattern and features of newborn optic disc development and provide the basis for the diagnosis of newborn optic disc disease. Methods This is a prospective clinical research. Newborns underwent newborn fundus disease screening from January 1st, 2016 to October 31st, 2016 in the neonatal ward of Ruian City Maternal and Child Health Hospital were selected. RetCam 3 Version6.1.25.0 Wide-Field Digital Pediatric Retinal Imaging System developed by Clarity Medical Systems, Inc was adopted to conduct fundus examination on both eyes, 130 degree wide-angle lens was used to film the images centering optic disc. Results For both premature infants and term infants, vertical diameter of the optic disc to lateral diameter of the optic disc ratio was > 1, and the shape of the optic disc was a vertical oval. The difference of each optic disc parameter between premature infants and term infants was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). There’s a difference of constitution of sclerotic ring type on optic disc between premature infants and term infants. Among which, the proportion of single ring type and double ring type in premature infants was higher than that in term infants (P < 0.05). The proportion of no ring type in term infants was higher than that in premature infants (P < 0.05). The proportion of mixed type had no significant difference (P > 0.05) between premature infants and term infants. Conclusions We found that The proportion of mature types (single ring type and double ring type) in term infants was higher than that in premature infants. While there’s no statistical difference of the proportion of mixed types between premature infants and term infants.Double ring type is a normal stage of the development of optic disc.