Intraocular pressure in premature babies in the first month of life

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to study the values of intraocular pressure (IOP) in premature babies during the first month of life. Methods: Using a hand-held applanation tonometer, IOP was measured in 40 eyes of 20 preterm infants (gestational age ranging from 26 to 32 weeks) shortly after birth and at weekly intervals for the first month of life. Results: IOP values in preterm infants ranged from 7.6 to 18.3 mm Hg. The mean IOP decreased during the study period from 13.25 +/- 2.86 mm Hg to 10.96 +/- 2.01 mm Hg (P<.001). Conclusions: Although the values of IOP found in this study are by no means within the range that is considered to be pathologic for newborns, the possible lack of the decreasing tendency of IOP observed during the first month of life could have, in a given case, some clinical implications. Because systemic blood pressure in preterm infants is already quite low, even a moderately elevated IOP during the first weeks of life might in some cases result in a significant reduction of the ocular perfusion pressure. The latter mig ht play a contributory role in the development of retinopathy of prematurity by decreasing the blood supply to the peripheral retinal tissues.