Retinal vascularization in humans develops between the 16th and 36th weeks of amenorrhea, in a centrifugal pattern starting from the optic disc. In the case of premature birth, the immature peripheral retina is at risk of ischemia due to incomplete vascular development.
Prematurity is often associated with respiratory fragility. It frequently requires ventilatory support in the form of oxygen therapy, either invasive (orotracheal intubation) or non-invasive, which induces reflex arteriolar vasoconstriction, thereby worsening the existing ischemia. This raises the question of whether subclinical retinal vascular changes, detectable by OCT angiography, may explain the increased risk of amblyopia and the need for optical correction observed in these patients.
OCT angiography is rapidly expanding in the field of retinal vascular diseases: it is a simple, fast, reliable, and non-invasive examination, requiring no injection, that enables high-resolution visualization of retinal vascularization, with separate analysis of the retinal plexuses and the choriocapillaris.
Agreement to participate in the study protocol
Child living near CHI Créteil
Enrolled in a social security scheme
Neurobehavioral disorders or psychomotor delay preventing the examination from being performed
Presence of ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) involving zone I or having received intravitreal injections (IVT) of anti-VEGF (as this may directly alter OCT-A parameters)
Pre-existing retinal disease: macular scar of any cause, retinal vascular abnormalities such as sickle cell disease or diabetes
Pre-existing optic nerve diseases: glaucoma, coloboma, tumors