[Peripheral retinal lesions in the premature infant].

The periphery of the retina was examined with the use of contact lenses at the age of 5 years in children who were born prematurely and weighed less than 1,500 g at birth. In this retrospective series 65% of the children were found to have lesions similar to the classical findings in retrolental fibroplasia although only to a minor degree. Low oxygen levels with a short duration of the exposure cannot completely prevent these sequalae. This retinopathy which is limited to the periphery, may account for the frequency and severity of myopia in children who were premature. Later in childhood and more rarely retinal detachment or tears may occur which cause severe visual impairment.