Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 4, 2026

In Vivo Confocal Microscopy in the Diagnosis and Management of Dry Eye: A Focus on Imaging Protocols and Interpretation
08:13

In Vivo Confocal Microscopy in the Diagnosis and Management of Dry Eye: A Focus on Imaging Protocols and Interpretation

Published on: November 11, 2025

748

Performing red reflex eye examinations increases the rate of neonatal conjunctivitis

Irena Ulanovsky1,2, Morya Shnaider1,2, Yuval Geffen2,3

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|September 13, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Red reflex eye exams may increase clinical conjunctivitis risk in newborns. While conjunctival swab sampling rose, bacterial conjunctivitis rates remained unchanged, suggesting the procedure is safe for neonates.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal ophthalmology
  • Infectious disease epidemiology

Background:

  • Red reflex examinations are crucial for detecting neonatal eye conditions.
  • Eyelid manipulation during these exams raises concerns about potential infection transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between red reflex examinations and neonatal conjunctivitis.
  • To compare conjunctivitis rates before and after implementing the procedure.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study of 18,872 neonates across two birth periods (2008-2009 and 2010-2011).
  • Comparison of clinical conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, and bacterial growth rates between the periods.
  • Analysis of factors associated with conjunctivitis, including delivery mode and length of stay.

Main Results:

  • Clinical conjunctivitis rates significantly increased in the 2010-2011 period (p = 0.029).
  • Increased odds of clinical conjunctivitis were linked to the later study period (OR 1.22), male gender (OR 1.31), and longer length of stay (OR 1.19).
  • Bacterial conjunctivitis rates and bacterial growth percentages did not differ significantly between the study periods.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical conjunctivitis showed a significant association with the later study period, male gender, and length of stay.
  • Conjunctival swab sampling increased post-implementation, but bacterial conjunctivitis and growth rates remained stable.
  • The findings suggest that while clinical conjunctivitis increased, the risk of bacterial infection from red reflex examinations is not elevated.
Abstract

Keywords:
Bacterial conjunctivitisClinical conjunctivitisNewborn infantRed reflex eye examinationSwab sampling

More Related Videos

Classical Short-Delay Eyeblink Conditioning in One-Year-Old Children07:36

Classical Short-Delay Eyeblink Conditioning in One-Year-Old Children

Published on: September 1, 2018

40.9K
Neurodevelopmental Reflex Testing in Neonatal Rat Pups09:35

Neurodevelopmental Reflex Testing in Neonatal Rat Pups

Published on: April 24, 2017

21.3K

Related Concept Videos

Reflex Activity01:08

Reflex Activity

A reflex activity is an automatic, involuntary response to specific stimuli. It is a part of our survival mechanism, designed to protect us from potential harm. For example, when a bright light suddenly shines into our eyes, we instinctively close them or look away. This is a simple reflex activity orchestrated by the nervous system without conscious thought or effort.
A reflex exam is a diagnostic procedure performed by a healthcare professional to evaluate the functionality of a patient's...
4.9K
Microbiome of the Eye01:22

Microbiome of the Eye

The human eye has a specialized microbiota that reflects its unique anatomical and immunological environment. This low-biomass microbial community predominantly colonizes the conjunctiva and eyelid margins, playing a vital role in ocular surface homeostasis and defense. Despite its proximity to the richly colonized facial skin, the ocular surface maintains a distinct microbial profile due to continuous mechanical and biochemical defense mechanisms.The conjunctival surface hosts fewer microbial...
38