Current Vision Studies
Premature infants, 10 weeks old
Study 1: The Development of Vision and Refractive Errors
In this study, we are investigating the development of vision and refractive error in infants who were born prematurely (32 weeks gestational age or less).
Nearsightedness is a frequent problem among children who have been born early. We believe that the retina, which is affected by retinopathy of prematurity, governs whether the eye will grow to become nearsighted (myopic) or farsighted (hyperopic). Therefore, we are conducting a study of retinal function of premature infants, some of whom had retinopathy of prematurity and others who had no retinopathy. During the study session, we will test the child's retinal function and take measurements for myopia or hyperopia. Participation involves a single session of approximately two hours. The visit is scheduled for when your baby is between 9 and 11 weeks corrected age (post-term).
During the session, your child's vision will be checked with the preferential looking test (PL). Then dilating drops, like those used for their eye examination in the nursery, will be used. These drops are needed to obtain accurate measurements of the focus of the eye to determine if there is any myopia or hyperopia. It takes the drops about 30 minutes to work. During those 30 minutes, we will ask you to wait with your child in a dark room.
After this, we will check the function of the whole retina using either the full-field electroretinogram (ERG) or the multifocal ERG (mfERG). Anesthetic drops will be placed in one eye and a contact lens electrode placed on the surface of that eye. We will then record the electrical response of the retina to a series of blue and red flashing lights or flickering patterns.
Risks involved in this study are the momentary discomfort of the dilating and anesthetizing drops, an unlikely allergic reaction to the drops, and the possibility of scraping (abrading) the surface of the eye with the contact electrode used for ERG recording With the precautions that we take, the risk of abrasion is very low, and none of the participants in our prior ERG research studies have had a corneal abrasion. If an abrasion develops, we will treat it promptly and follow up until it is resolved. Also, your child’s eyes will be sensitive to light for a few hours.
The development of myopia and hyperopia and associated eye problems continue to be an important concern among children who are born early. The testing is not expected to be of any direct benefit to your child, but we hope that this study will result in a better understanding and better management of these problems.
The total time in the Ophthalmology Department is approximately 2 hours, including showing you the equipment, discussing the procedure and answering any questions. To thank you for your time, we will provide you with a token payment and a parking voucher for the Children's Hospital garage. If you would like to participate, please contact us for more information.
In this study, we are investigating the development of vision and refractive error in infants who were born prematurely (32 weeks gestational age or less).
Nearsightedness is a frequent problem among children who have been born early. We believe that the retina, which is affected by retinopathy of prematurity, governs whether the eye will grow to become nearsighted (myopic) or farsighted (hyperopic). Therefore, we are conducting a study of retinal function of premature infants, some of whom had retinopathy of prematurity and others who had no retinopathy. During the study session, we will test the child's retinal function and take measurements for myopia or hyperopia. Participation involves a single session of approximately two hours. The visit is scheduled for when your baby is between 9 and 11 weeks corrected age (post-term).
During the session, your child's vision will be checked with the preferential looking test (PL). Then dilating drops, like those used for their eye examination in the nursery, will be used. These drops are needed to obtain accurate measurements of the focus of the eye to determine if there is any myopia or hyperopia. It takes the drops about 30 minutes to work. During those 30 minutes, we will ask you to wait with your child in a dark room.
After this, we will check the function of the whole retina using either the full-field electroretinogram (ERG) or the multifocal ERG (mfERG). Anesthetic drops will be placed in one eye and a contact lens electrode placed on the surface of that eye. We will then record the electrical response of the retina to a series of blue and red flashing lights or flickering patterns.
Risks involved in this study are the momentary discomfort of the dilating and anesthetizing drops, an unlikely allergic reaction to the drops, and the possibility of scraping (abrading) the surface of the eye with the contact electrode used for ERG recording With the precautions that we take, the risk of abrasion is very low, and none of the participants in our prior ERG research studies have had a corneal abrasion. If an abrasion develops, we will treat it promptly and follow up until it is resolved. Also, your child’s eyes will be sensitive to light for a few hours.
The development of myopia and hyperopia and associated eye problems continue to be an important concern among children who are born early. The testing is not expected to be of any direct benefit to your child, but we hope that this study will result in a better understanding and better management of these problems.
The total time in the Ophthalmology Department is approximately 2 hours, including showing you the equipment, discussing the procedure and answering any questions. To thank you for your time, we will provide you with a token payment and a parking voucher for the Children's Hospital garage. If you would like to participate, please contact us for more information.