[The computer as an assistant to the physician].

BACKGROUND

The possibilities of using computer in physician's research work are presented as an example of statistical analysis of axial eyeball length in relation to the age in myopic children with low birthweight.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 100 children aged from 3 to 15 years, with birthweight from 580 to 2450 g, where in 180 eyes myopia ranging from -1.5 to -22.0 Dsph and axial length of the eye from 20.0 to 30.9 mm were present. The dynamics of eyeball's axial length increase was compared between two groups: one-in which no symptoms of retinopathy of prematurity were present (no-RROP), and the second--in which signs of regressed retinopathy of prematurity were observed (RROP).

RESULTS

The results of the analysis are shown in analytical and graphical modes. Statistically significant differences were shown between axial lengths of eyeball's in the analysed groups of mean 9-year-old premature children (no-RROP: 25.19 mm and RROP: 24.33 mm). It was shown that the use of a computer reduces the time of performing statistical analysis of large amount of data.