LONG-TERM VARIABILITY OF STRABISMUS ANGLE IN NEUROLOGICALLY IMPAIRED PREMATURE INFANTS: A 12-YEAR FOLLOW UP

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the strabismus angle variability and rationality of surgical treatment of strabismus in prematurely born children with neurological impairment during 12-year follow up. Eleven premature infants born in 2003 were included in the study and treated with equal conservative approach from 2005 until 2016. Initial esotropia was found in seven and exotropia in four of eleven children. Changes in the strabismus angle correlated significantly with aging of the children. In children with initial esotropia, the strabismus angle became less convergent (less positive), changed the orientation and became more divergent with aging. In those with initial exotropia, the angle became less divergent (more positive), changed the orientation and became more convergent. Moreover, a significant difference in the strabismus angle was found during the 12-year follow up. Based on our results, due to the variability in strabismus angle, we did not find enough evidence for optimal timing or rationality of strabismus surgery in neurologically impaired children born prematurely.