[Abnormal ocular findings in the nursery and in the first few weeks of life: a mandatory, yet difficult and neglected screening]

Arch Pediatr. 2009 Sep:16 Suppl 1:S38-41. doi: 10.1016/S0929-693X(09)75299-6.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Recommendations issued by the French Health Ministry include ocular screening in the first days of life and at 2 and 4 months. The aim is to detect ocular abnormalities requiring early treatment, in order to improve the prognosis. Paediatricians working in the nursery should therefore be trained in order to perform ocular screening, which requires using an ophthalmoscope. This is not yet common practice in all nurseries. Red-reflex is one of the most important elements of testing. Possible diagnoses suggested by abnormal red-reflex include retinoblastoma, or abnormalities of eye transparency, such as cataract. Any detected ocular abnormality requires specialised consultation. At the present time, paediatricians remain insufficiently aware and trained about ocular screening.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Blinking
  • Color Vision
  • Eye Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Family
  • Female
  • France
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Mandatory Testing / standards*
  • Pregnancy
  • Retinoblastoma / diagnosis
  • Visual Acuity*