ABSTRACT.

Purpose: The purpose was to study the effect of prematurity on the macula–disc

centre distance and whether it could be used as a reference tool for determining

the size of retinal features in prematurely born children by fundus photography.

Methods: The macula–disc centre distance of the left eye was measured in pixels

from digital fundus photographs taken from 27 prematurely born children aged

10–11 years with Topcon fundus camera. A conversion factor for Topcon fundus

camera (194.98 pixel/mm for a 50° lens) was used to convert the results in pixels

into metric units.

Results: The macula–disc centre distance was 4.74 mm, SD 0.29. No correlation

between ametropia and the macula–disc centre distance was found (r = 0.07,

p > 0.05). One child (subject 20) had high myopia and retinopathy of

prematurity (ROP), and the macula–disc centre distance was longer than

average (6.35 mm).

Discussion: The macula–disc centre distance in prematurely born children at the

age of 10–11 years provides an easy-to-use reference tool for evaluating the size

of retinal features on fundus photographs. However, if complications of ROP,

for example temporal macular dragging or high ametropia, are present, the

macula–disc centre distance is potentially altered and a personal macula–disc

centre distance should be determined and used as a refined reference tool.