To evaluate of the range and relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP), and central corneal thickness (CCT) in premature infants.

To investigate the correlation of IOP and CCT with gestational age and body weight, 58 premature infants 37 weeks-old or younger were examined. Under topical anesthesia, IOP was measured with Tono-Pen® XL (Medtronic Solan, Jacksonville, FL) and the CCT with pachymeter (SP-2000, TOMEY®, Japan). The fundus was examined in infants with a risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Average gestational age of the subjects was 33 weeks and 6 days and body weight was 1506±520 grams (mean±standard deviation). Forty-five subjects had oxygen therapy, and 10 patients were found to have any one of the stages of ROP. Average IOP was 15.14±4.64 mmHg in the right eye and 15.29±3.70 mmHg in the left eye. CCT was 594.72±74.87 µm in the right eye and 599.78±74.17 µm in the left eye. No statistically significant correlation was found between IOP or CCT and gestational age or body weight.

Gestational age and body weight did not appear to affect IOP or CCT in the gestational age between 26 and 37 weeks. The maturing eye in the neonate is known for fast development in the first year after birth. There are, however, few reports in the literature regarding the changes in dimensions of ocular structures in the premature neonate. These normative values may aid ophthalmologists in assessing IOP and CCT in premature infants.