To assess retinal morphology changes in patients born at different stages of prematurity, accounting for the presence or absence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and comorbidity, using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT).

Retrospective cohort study.

Preterm and term infants underwent an ophthalmologic assessment (best-corrected visual acuity, stereoacuity, cycloplegic refraction and funduscopy). Retinal layers were imaged, segmented, and measured by SD-OCT. In total 114 full term controls and 60 preterm children, classified as late preterm (32–36 weeks gestational age), early preterm (<32 weeks of gestational age) without ROP, and early preterm with previously treated ROP, were included in the study.

No retinal structure differences were observed in preterm infants with no treated ROP compared to term infants. Early preterm infants with previous treated ROP had decreased retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in the superior and nasal quadrants, increased RNFL in the temporal quadrant, and a thinner ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer complex (GCL-IPL). Low birthweight percentile was associated with increased foveal thickness and ganglion cell damage (RNFL and GCL-IPL) independent of gestational age. Among all the coexisting events, inflammation and hypoxia were correlated with more severe detrimental effects.

In the absence of treated ROP, prematurity was not associated with disturbed retinal structure. Severe ROP and low birthweight were related to neuronal and axonal damage in the inner retinal layers. Detailed comorbidity should be reviewed when evaluating preterm infants.