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.