Ophthalmological outcomes, visual perception, fine motor precision, and visual‐motor integration in children born very preterm

Aim To explore longitudinal associations between ophthalmological outcome and development of visual perception, fine motor precision, and visual‐motor integration (VMI) in children born very preterm (gestational age <32 weeks). Method This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study of 113 children (51 females, 62 males) born very preterm. Visual acuity, low‐contrast visual acuity, stereopsis, and strabismus were investigated at 2 years 6 months ( n = 98), 6 years 6 months ( n = 84), and 12 years ( n = 59). VMI was assessed at 6 years 6 months and 12 years, and visual perception and fine motor precision at 12 years, with the Beery‐Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual‐Motor Integration. Controls born at term were assessed at 6 years 6 months ( n = 64) and 12 years ( n = 46). Results For children born preterm, subnormal visual acuity at 2 years 6 months was related to both poorer VMI and fine motor precision at 12 years. Subnormal visual acuity, strabismus, and stereopsis at 6 years 6 months were also related to poorer VMI, visuo‐perceptual, and fine motor measures at 12 years. These associations were not present in controls born at term. Interpretation Subnormal ophthalmological function at 2 years 6 months and 6 years 6 months in children born very preterm is related to poorer performance on VMI, visuo‐perceptual, and fine motor precision tasks at 12 years, indicating that the quality of visual input interacts with developing visual‐motor abilities. The results of this study provide new insights on the relationship between ophthalmological function and neurodevelopment after preterm birth.