Changes in visual function and ocular morphology in women who have undergone ART treatment and children born as a result of ART treatment: a systematic review

As all the structures of the human eye are characterized by sex hormone receptors, this study tested the hypothesis that assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment influences visual function and ocular morphology in women who have undergone ART treatment and children born as a result of ART treatment. A systematic literature search of all original articles published up to August 2018 was performed using the PubMed database, including all original studies available in the literature. Review articles, studies in which participants underwent mixed interventions (i.e. other than ART treatment), studies reporting data on ocular malformations in ART offspring, and studies written in languages other than English were excluded. All selected articles were analysed to assess the level of evidence according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 guidelines, and the quality of evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Although sparse data suggest that ART treatment can influence visual function and ocular morphology in women who have undergone ART treatment and children born as a result of ART treatment, the available evidence is inconclusive given its low level and quality. More high-quality research is needed to assess the potential interaction between ART treatment and the eye.