Why do infants born prematurely have a greater risk of vision problems?

Infants born prematurely face a higher risk of vision problems primarily because the development of their eyes is not complete until the final stages of gestation. The last trimester is critical for eye development, involving processes such as the maturation of the retina and the development of the visual pathways in the brain. Premature infants, born before this crucial development period is finished, may experience issues such as retinopathy of prematurity, where abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina.

This lack of full development can lead to visual impairments and a range of conditions that affect overall sight. In contrast, while genetic predispositions, environmental factors, and maternal nutrition can influence the likelihood of developing vision issues, they do not specifically account for the unique vulnerabilities of the premature infant's developing visual system that are distinctly tied to the incomplete gestational development. Thus, the primary explanation for the increased risk of vision problems in preterm infants is rooted in their insufficiently developed ocular structures at birth.