Cup-to-disc and arteriole-to-venule ratios in preterm birth

Aims To investigate the influence of preterm birth on the optic disc and retinal vessels by measurements of cup-to-disc (C/D) ratio and arteriole-to-venule (A/V) ratio. Methods Eighty-three eyes of 42 preterm births were included. In the age- and sex-matched control group, 83 eyes of 42 full-term births were used. Fundus color photographs were taken. ImageJ software was used to calculate C/D and A/V ratios from the fundus images. Results Fundus photographs were taken at 8.01 ± 2.22 years of age for the preterm group and 8.01 ± 2.13 years of age for the control group. The mean gestational age of the preterm group was 27(4)/7 weeks (range, 24-34 weeks). The preterm group had significantly larger C/D ratio and smaller A/V ratio (mean ± standard deviation: 0.46 ± 0.12 and 0.59 ± 0.08, respectively) than the control group (0.36 ± 0.07 and 0.68 ± 0.07, respectively) after spherical equivalent refractive error was adjusted. Conclusions Preterm birth is significantly associated with larger C/D ratio and smaller A/V ratio. These findings show the effect of preterm birth on the development of optic disc and retinal vessel development.