Convergence and Accommodation Development Is Preprogrammed in Premature Infants.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

This study investigated whether vergence and accommodation development in preterm infants is preprogrammed or is driven by experience.

Methods

Thirty-two healthy infants, born at mean 34 weeks gestation (range, 31.2-36 weeks), were compared with 45 healthy full-term infants (mean 40.0 weeks) over a 6-month period, starting at 4 to 6 weeks postnatally. Simultaneous accommodation and convergence to a detailed target were measured using a Plusoptix PowerRefII infrared photorefractor as a target moved between 0.33 and 2 m. Stimulus/response gains and responses at 0.33 and 2 m were compared by both corrected (gestational) age and chronological (postnatal) age.

Results

When compared by their corrected age, preterm and full-term infants showed few significant differe

SUBMITTER: Horwood AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4549904 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature