Ophthalmological morbidity in very-low-birthweight infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between retinopathy of prematurity, ocular sequelae of retinopathy, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in infants weighing < 1250 g at birth prior to the introduction of steroid therapy for chronic lung disease. Ophthalmological data from 67 infants (22 with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and 45 controls) who were enrolled prospectively in an early intervention program were analyzed. The infants had two or more eye examinations prior to discharge and a follow-up examination at 12 to 18 months postconceptual age. The incidence of any retinopathy of prematurity was 33%, and severe retinopathy was 25%. Infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were 1.7 times more likely to develop any retinopathy and 1.8 times more likely to develop severe retinopathy than controls. The incidence of ocular sequelae, was 45%. Infants with any retinopathy had a 2.3 odds of developing sequelae, and infants with severe retinopathy had a 2.64 odds ratio. When adjusted for bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the odds ratio for developing sequelae was 1.36 in infants with any retinopathy and 1.27 in those with severe retinopathy. The predictors of retinopathy were lower birthweight and gestational age, acidosis, and hypoxemia. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia per se has an adverse effect on ophthalmologic morbidity. Evaluation of the adverse effect of any therapy for chronic lung disease on retinopathy of prematurity should make adjustments for the underlying lung disease.