Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2025
Smartphone Fundus Photography
Published on: July 6, 2017
The Evaluation of Ocular Posterior Segment Findings in 5527 Term Infants Using Smartphone-Based Fundus Imaging
Damla Erginturk Acar1, Armagan Ozgur1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Routine eye screenings for term infants detected significant ocular abnormalities in 18.6% of newborns. Smartphone fundus imaging proved effective for documenting these findings, revealing conditions beyond the red reflex test.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatal Care
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Term infants typically undergo newborn eye screening to detect potential vision impairments.
- The pupillary red reflex test is a common initial screening method.
- Comprehensive fundus examinations can identify a broader range of ocular conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the outcomes of two-year fundus examinations in term infants undergoing eye screening.
- To evaluate the utility of smartphone-based fundus imaging in documenting ocular findings in newborns.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of data from 5527 term infants screened at a tertiary care center.
- Infants underwent red reflex testing and dilated posterior segment examination.
- Abnormal findings were documented using a smartphone-based imaging system.
Main Results:
- Abnormal ocular findings were identified in 1031 newborns (18.6%).
- The most frequent abnormalities included peripheral retinal white lesions (13%) and posterior segment hemorrhages (4.3%).
- A diverse range of other less common findings were also documented, including retinoblastoma and optic nerve anomalies.
Conclusions:
- Detailed fundus examinations in term infants can uncover numerous ocular and systemic abnormalities missed by the red reflex test.
- Smartphone-based fundus imaging offers a simple and effective method for documenting these critical findings.
- Early detection through comprehensive screening is vital for managing potential visual impairments in newborns.
Abstract:
Purpose: To evaluate the two-year fundus examination outcomes of term infants undergoing eye screening. Methods: Retrospective review of our data of term infants at a tertiary care center (Ankara Bilkent City Hospital) from October 2021 to October 2023. All screened infants underwent red reflex test and dilated posterior segment examination. Abnormal ocular findings were documented using smartphone-based imaging system. Results: A total of 5527 full-term babies were enrolled to the study. Abnormal ocular findings were observed in 1031 newborns (18.6%), the most common of which were retinal white lesions in the peripheral retina (13%) (n = 720) and posterior segment hemorrhages (4.3%) (n = 243). Other findings included congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (n = 14), choroidal nevus (n = 11), idiopathic peripheral retinal scar (n = 9), chorioretinal coloboma (n = 6), optic nerve coloboma (n = 4), familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (n = 4), optic nerve large cup (n = 2), optic nerve hypoplasia (n = 2), retinal calcification (n = 2), optic nerve pit (n = 2), morning glory disc anomaly (n = 1), vascular loop on the optic disc (n = 1), retinoblastoma (n = 1), X-linked retinoschisis (n = 1), congenital toxoplasmosis (n = 1), thread-shaped white lesion (n = 1), combined hamartoma of the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (n = 1), foveal hypoplasia (n = 1), retinal dystrophy (n = 1), and astrocytic hamartoma (n = 1). Conclusions: Detailed eye examinations of term infants can reveal a range of ocular and/or systemic abnormalities that would not be caught through pupillary red reflex test. Smartphone-based fundus imaging is a simple and effective method for documenting findings.
