The Effect of Gestational Age on Axial Length of the Eyes of Premature Infants

Aim: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the axial length of the eyes of premature infants without retinopathy of prematurity and to document the relationship with gestational age and changes as infants grew-up. Material and Method: The axial length of the eyes were measured by using a mobile A-scan ultrasonographic biometry device just before the first retinopathy of prematurity screening examination and 4-weeks thereafter. Results: One-hundred and thirty-six infants with a mean gestational age of 31,7±2,7 weeks and a birth-weight of 1561.0±379.3 g were included in the study. Axial length measurements were done at a mean postconceptional age of 35.8 ±2.6 (31-40) and 39.8±2.7 (35-44) weeks, consecutively. The mean axial length at first and second visits were 16.43±0.42 mm (15.28-17.13) and 16.69±0.41 mm (15.60-17.70), consecutively (