Objectives: To report the visual outcome in prematurely born and full-term children at the age of 10 years and to evaluate the effects of prematurity per se, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and cryotreatment on visual acuity. Methods: The study included 216 prematurely born children and 217 children born at term from the same geographical area and study period. Best-corrected distance and near visual acuities were assessed with linear letter logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution charts. Crowding was evaluated. Results: Prematurely born children had reduced distance and near visual acuities compared with full-term children, even when children who had retinopathy of prematurity and neurologic disorders were excluded (P< .001). Children who had been treated with cryotherapy had the highest risk of a reduced visual acuity. Two percent of the prematurely born children were visually impaired ( < 20/60). Conclusions: Although we found an overall good visual outcome in the prematurely born cohort, the risk of reduced visual acuity was greater than in full-term children. Children who had been treated with cryotherapy had the highest risk, but prematurity per se was also associated with reduced visual acuity.
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