Visual acuity, binocular vision, and ocular muscle balance in VLBW children.

Thirty-four very low birth weight (VLBW) 6-year olds and 31 normal birth weight (NBW) 6-year olds were assessed for visual acuity, binocular vision, and ocular muscle balance. Significantly more of the children in the VLBW group failed the tests of binocular vision and ocular muscle balance. Failure in tests of binocular vision was associated with higher numbers of days on mechanical ventilation and higher number of days in the intensive care nursery during the first months of life.