Posters

Digital eye fundus triage neonates program: going beyond the red reflex examination

Poster Details

First Author: N.Douat Dietrich BRAZIL

Co Author(s): J. Dietrich   H. Douat Dietrich   P. Zanotelli Cagliari   T. Peto           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to highlight the importance of the eye fundus triage for all healthy newborns, since most children do not undergo formal screening examinations until just before entering kindergarten.

Setting:

Darcy Vargas Maternity Hospital in Joinville, SC Brazil

Methods:

Thirty-four neonates were examined at the Darcy Vargas Maternity Hospital in Joinville, SC Brazil from October 2016 through March 2017.  Pictor Plus portable ophthalmic camera, model VP2RET manufactured by Volk (Volk Optical, Inc., Mentor, OH) was utilized. In order to reduce discomfort during examination, a 25% oral glucose solution was administered(colocarreferência). As the neonates in this study had been previously screened with indirect ophthalmoscopy for peripheral retina examination, their pupils were previously dilated (tropicamide 0.5%, phenylephrine 2.5%)

Results:

All newborns evaluated had normal red reflex test. Nineteen neonates (55.9%) presented with normal results and fifteen (44.1%) neonates presented with unilateral or bilateral abnormalities. Hemorrhage, ROP and toxoplasmosis had a prevalence of 13.3% each. 26.7% presented syphilis alterations and 33.3% optic disc alterations.

Conclusions:

The Pictor Plus portable ophthalmic camera has shown to be efficient in recording high quality images of eye fundus in neonates without requiring touching the eyes. It also enabled performing examination without sedation therefore reducing the incidence of complications such as eyelid trauma , hypoventilation and bradycardia. In addition to this, it enables the setting of a permanent data bank for clinical follow up of possible alterations . Performing early intervention increases the chances of management, vision rehabilitation and cure . Therefore, eye fundus triage may have profound impact on improving  ocular and overall health of newborns and children .

Financial Disclosure:

None