Visual Functions After Perinatal Macular Haemorrhage

Abstract

Perinatal macular haemorrhage has been suggested as being a cause of amblyopia and strabismus. 39 of 48 children with macular haemorrhage after birth were examined a t the age of 5 years. The study comprised visual acuity with E-test types and cycloplegic refraction. Binocular function was evaluated by cover test, and 4d-prism test. Fixation was studied by an ophthalmoscope with a central dark star. Sensory function was estimated by Schober test and Worth 4-dot-test. The observations gave no support to the existence of organic amblyopia or strabismus following perinatal macular haemorrhage.Key words: macular haemorrhageshaemorrhages in the newbornamblyopiastrabismus.Retinal haemorrhages are known to occur in a large fraction of newborns. The figures range from a few to 50 per cent, or even higher.During the years 1969-71 a consecutive series of deliveries was examined by ophthalmoscopy (Ehlers, Krarup- Jensen & Brogaard Hansen 1974). The series was planned as a comparison of deliveries by means of forceps and vacuum extractor, and comprised a total of 413 newborns. Ninety-nine babies were delivered by forceps, 94 by vacuum extractor, while in 13 cases a failed vacuum This study was supported by a grant from Komiteen ti1 forebyggelse af blindhed.

Retinal Haemorrhages in the Newborn

“…The importance of these haemorrhages in the newborn is obscure. Studies of von Noorden & Khodadoust (1973), Lowes et al (1976), Richter (1976 and others give no basis for an assumption of an increased frequency of amblyopia or squint in patients with retinal haemorrhages at birth. The main and most difficult question is, however, whether there exists a clear'connection between retinal haemorrhages in the newborn and brain damage, for instance as minimal brain dysfunctions.…”

AMD-like Lesions in the Rat Retina: A Latent Consequence of Perinatal Hemorrhage

“…A common view is that these hemorrhages resolve within 2 weeks, and have little effect on the eye as assessed using measures such as visual acuity and contrast sensitivity over periods of months 11 to a few years. 12,13 This led to the generally held view that neonatal retinal hemorrhages are common and benign. 14 However, there is a minority converse opinion.…”