The oculocardiac reflex during ophthalmoscopy in premature infants

Of 54 consecutive infants referred for ophthalmoscopy with the pupils dilated, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring showed that 17 (31%) had bradycardia, ranging from 10% to 59% of baseline, coincident with instillation of eyedrops, insertion of an eyelid speculum, pressure on the globe, or stretching of the medial and lateral recti muscles.