Analysis of the horizontal corneal diameter, central corneal thickness, and axial length in premature infants

Purpose: To determine the horizontal corneal diameter, central corneal thickness, and axial length in premature infants. Methods: Infants with a birth weight of less than 2,500 g or with a gestation period of less than 36 weeks were included in the study. Infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) were allocated to Group 1 (n= 138), while those without ROP were allocated to Group 2 (n= 236). All infants underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including corneal diameter measurements, pachymetry, biometry, and fundoscopy. Between-group comparisons of horizontal corneal diameter, central corneal thickness, and axial lengths were performed. Independent sample t-tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Data was obtained from 374 eyes of 187 infants (102 female, 85 male). The mean gestational age at birth was 30.7 +/- 2.7 weeks (range 25-36 weeks), the mean birth weight was 1,514 +/- 533.3 g (range 750-1,970 g), and the mean postmenstrual age at examination was 40.0 +/- 4.8 weeks. The mean gestational age and the mean birth weight of Group 1 were statistically lower than Group 2 (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in horizontal corneal diameter, central corneal thickness, and axial length between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The presence of ROP in premature infants does not alter the horizontal corneal diameter, central corneal thickness, or axial length.