Strabismus and pseudostrabismus in premature infants

: Prematurity is a factor that predisposes to strabismus. Three hundred of the 1785 children with strabismus in out patient care during the latter five years were preterm babies, showing that prematurity intervenes in 16.7% of cases in the onset of strabismus. The onset age of strabismus deviation was also earlier before the age of two in 30% of cases. Visual acuity, refraction, strabismus deviation and fixation in terms of the degree of prematurity are analyzed. Neuropsychological examination revealed neurologic disturbances in 28.2% of these children, of which 5% encephalopathy. The neurologic disturbances, frequently of polycentric origin also represent an obstacle in reestablishing binocular vision. Seven premature infants presented pseudostrabismus with abnormal kappa angle and small deviation angle due to macula ectopia.