AIM: To observe the hyaloid artery remnants in the eyes of premature infants.

METHODS: This retrospective study recruited premature infants who consecutively attended the Tongji Hospital for retinopathy of prematurity(ROP)screening from May 2018 to November 2018. The binocular indirect ophthalmoscope was used for examination.

RESULTS: In total, 60 cases were pulled for data analysis. The cases were categorized as having the following condition: hyaloid artery remnants positive(49 cases)or hyaloid artery remnants negative(11 cases). It was showed that the remnants positive group had significant lower gestational age and birth weight than those of the negative group(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in gender, labor presentation and ROP between the two groups(P>0.05). The hyaloid artery remnants completely regressed in all the follow-up cases. The range of disappearing time of hyaloid artery remnants was 37-44wk of corrected gestational age.

CONCLUSION: The hyaloid artery remnants in preterm infants are most likely to be physiological residues. Younger or lower weight premature infants will have higher positive detection rates of hyaloid artery remnants. It seems like co-existence with ROP has no significant association with the detection of hyaloid artery remnants. When the corrected gestational age extends over 43wk, if the hyaloid artery remnants don't regress, there is a possibility of pathological changes, and appropriate interventions should be selected according to the severity of the lesions.