Abstract

Background: In order to improve the quality of life of newborns, it is
important to detect the earliest visual problems. This study aimed to determine
the refractive status in healthy term babies and to investigate whether there
is a correlation between refractive status and birth weight

Materials and Methods: Two hundred and three healthy full-term babies
at an age of postnatal 8 weeks were included in the study. In order to evaluate
refractive status handheld autorefractometer device was used in all subjects.
The types of refractive errors were analyzed both in right and left eyes
separately. Measurements taken under cycloplegic condition were analyzed for
spherical equivalent, astigmatism and anisometropia.

Results: Hypermetropia was found as the most common refractive error
among the participants (65% in right eyes, 62% in left eyes). With the rule
astigmatism is found to be the most common astigmatic pattern in both eyes (75%
in right eyes, 70% in left eyes). Anisometropia incidence was found to be 8%. No
correlation between refractive status and birth weight (p=0.105 r=-0.280)







Conclusion: Hypermetropia and with the rule astigmatism is the most
common refractive error in term babies and there is no relationship between
refractive status and birth weight in healthy infants born in term.

Keywords: Astigmatism, Birth Weight, Gestational age, Hypermetropia, Refractive error

References

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Copyright and license

How to cite

1.
Özülken K, Gokce SE. Refractive Screening of Turkish Term Infants with a Handheld Autorefractometer. Turk J Pediatr Dis [Internet]. 2020 Mar. 18 [cited 2025 May 25];14(2):143-6. Available from: https://turkjpediatrdis.org/article/view/705