Oculomotor consequences of intraventricular hemorrhages in premature infants.

We report the ocular findings in 11 preterm infants who sustained intraventricular hemorrhages. The defects were similar to those in adults who suffer from hypertensive thalamic hemorrhages. All 11 infants showed tonic downward and esotropic deviations of their eyes. Upgaze response could not be elicited in any of the infants. Although the role of secondary hydrocephalus cannot be discounted, we conclude that the direct effect of the hemorrhage on thalamic and mesencephalic structures is essential in the production of these oculomotor deficits. The prognosis for recovery of the upgaze palsy in these patients is good, although the time course may vary. However, the large-angle esotropia usually persists and requires surgical correction.