Strabismus incidence in infants born in Split-Dalmatia County 2002-2005.

The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of strabismus in preterm infants born between 2002 and 2005 in Split-Dalmatia County, and to compare it with term infants. Data were collected from Department of Public Health, Split-Dalmatia County and Strabology Outpatient Department, University Department of Ophthalmology, Split University Hospital Center. Strabismus was present in 796 (3.97%) children born between 2002 and 2005. Strabismus was diagnosed in 1.37% of term infants and 17.57% of preterm infants. Various factors can produce disorders in preterm infants, such as diffuse and focal defects of the white brain matter, and disorders of oligodendroglial cells, which may explain the higher incidence of strabismus in preterm infants as compared with term infants.