Ocular Disorders in the Newborn.

Visual development begins at birth and continues throughout childhood. Ocular pathology can lead to permanent visual impairment and subsequent problems in overall development and school performance as well as signify serious systemic disease or even life-threatening malignancies. Prompt identification of congenital or early acquired ocular pathology via regular bedside ocular examinations and assessments of visual behaviors by neonatal clinicians is a critical component of newborn care. The goal of this article is to review the components of the newborn eye examination, describe key ocular findings and diagnoses that are common or critical to identify in the newborn period, and offer guidance on necessity and timing of ophthalmology referral.

Trends in Retinopathy of Prematurity over 12 Years in a Colorado Cohort.

PURPOSE: To determine trends in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a Colorado cohort between 2006 and 2017 and compare trends in risk factors between our cohort and statewide data. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted by the use of records from two registry databases: 1) an academic center's ROP registry, and 2) vital statistics birth data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). ROP was categorized as severe (type 1 or type 2), low grade (not type 1 or type 2), or no ROP. Other variables included in the analyses were gestational age and birth weight at delivery, and infant mortality. Trends over time were evaluated for both registry databases using generalized linear models. RESULTS: In our ROP registry cohort of 1,267 eligible infants, 134 (10.6%) developed severe ROP and 279 (22%) developed low-grade ROP. We found no overall trend in severe ROP rates (p = .23), and a decreasing trend in rates of low-grade ROP (p < .01) over the study period. Trends in gestational age, birth weight, and mortality rates remained stable during the study period in both the ROP registry and the CDPHE cohorts. CONCLUSION: The rate of severe ROP in our ROP registry cohort did not change over time. There was evidence of a decreasing trend in low grade ROP during the 12-year study period that was not explained by a change in the primary ROP risk factors in either the ROP registry cohort or the Colorado statewide data.

Ocular Findings in Pontine Tegmental Cap Dysplasia.

PURPOSE: To describe the ocular complications experienced by patients with pontine tegmental cap dysplasia (PTCD) and the management strategies used to care for these children. METHODS: Subjects with PTCD were recruited through social media advertisement and completed a survey gathering information on potential ocular problems related to the patient's PTCD disease and any current or previous treatments. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients or guardians completed the survey. Neurotrophic cornea was the most common ocular diagnosis (82%), followed by facial palsy (59%), dry eye syndrome (59%), and blepharitis (55%). Other diagnoses included cortical visual impairment (27%), strabismus (27%), amblyopia (18%), and nystagmus (18%). Common treatment modalities included lubricating eye drops (59%) or ointment (50%), contact lenses (14%), punctal plugs (27%), glasses (45%), and patching (18%). The most common surgical interventions were temporary or permanent tarsorrhaphy (64%) and amniotic membrane grafts (23%). In total, 68% of families reported self-injury to eyes and 91% reported the child to be primarily a visual learner. CONCLUSIONS: PTCD is a newly described, very rare disorder with a variety of vision-threatening ocular manifestations. It is essential that the ophthalmologist be aware of the potential for neurotrophic cornea because timely treatment could prevent corneal scarring, perforation, and blindness.