Tear Function and Ocular Surface Findings in Premature and Term Babies

Choi, Gye Won; Lee, Hae Young

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe the ocular surface and tear function findings in premature and term babies.
METHODS
Sixty eyes of 30 premature babies and 60 eyes of 30 healthy term babies were studied. The subjects underwent routine ophthalmic examinations: corneal sensitivity test, corneal fluorescein test, Schirmer test with anesthesia, tear breakup time test, lipid layer pattern test and conjuctival impression cytology.
RESULTS
The mean corneal sensitivity scores were 35.2+/-5.0 mm and 54.2+/-3.7 mm in the premature and term babies, respectively (P<0.001). The mean Schirmer test score with anesthesia was 6.1+/-1.1 mm in the premature babies compared with 8.9+/-1.1 mm in the term babies (P<0.001). Premature babies had a mean lipid layer pattern score of 7.6+/-0.6 points, compared with 7.7+/-0.7 points in the term babies (P>0.001). Mean squamous metaplasia scores were 1.05+/-0.59 in the premature and 0.18+/-0.39 in the term babies (P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Premature infants had decreased tactile corneal sensitivity and reduced basal tear secretion as compared with full term infants. The premature infants did not have severe ocular surface disease from dry eyes because the lipid layers provide a protective effect for the ocular surface.