An audit from Greenlane Clinical Centre suggests the routine 2.5-year orthoptist/optometrist review for children with spontaneously resolved retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) may offer limited additional benefit.

The retrospective study by Drs Isaac Samuels and Sarah Hull from the University of Auckland and Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland, analysed records from August 2019 to February 2022 and found 19% of eligible children did not attend the planned visit. Among those seen, most had visual acuity within the expected range for their age. More than half of all strabismus cases had already been identified and referred before the 2.5-year appointment, with only 6.1% newly diagnosed at the review. Glasses were prescribed for 6.1% of children. A small number were unable to complete parts of the examination contributing to missing data.

Researchers said the findings indicate many clinically significant issues in this group are detected earlier and suggested the 2.5-year clinic may be unnecessary with all children offered a preschool vision check in Auckland.