The Importance of Advanced Newborn Eye Screening in Premature Babies

The birth of a premature baby requires special attention to many aspects of health — and vision is one of the most delicate. While many parents worry about lung development or weight gain, the baby’s eyes also deserve specific care from the very first days of life. In this context, the Advanced Newborn Eye Screening becomes essential.

What is the Advanced Newborn Eye Screening?

The Advanced Newborn Eye Screening is an enhanced ophthalmologic exam that allows for a detailed evaluation of the internal structures of the baby’s eyes, such as the retina, macula, and optic nerve. Using a high-resolution camera, the exam captures images that help identify possible abnormalities affecting visual development.

Unlike the basic red reflex test (commonly known as the “Newborn Eye Test”), this advanced method provides greater sensitivity and precision, enabling the detection of diseases that could go unnoticed with conventional screening.

Why do premature babies need extra attention?

Visual development is a continuous process that accelerates during the final trimester of pregnancy. When a baby is born prematurely, this development is interrupted, making the eyes more vulnerable to structural and functional abnormalities.

Moreover, premature babies are often exposed to additional risk factors such as oxygen therapy, extended stays in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and retinal vascular immaturity — all of which increase the chances of developing conditions like Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP).

What is Retinopathy of Prematurity?

ROP is a disease characterized by abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to permanent blindness if not diagnosed and treated early. It is one of the leading causes of childhood blindness worldwide, primarily affecting infants born before 32 weeks of gestation or weighing less than 1,500 grams.

One of the greatest challenges with ROP is that it is silent — it presents no visible symptoms in the early stages. Only specialized exams, such as the Advanced Newborn Eye Screening, can detect it in time for effective treatment.

How does Advanced Newborn Eye Screening help protect vision in premature babies?

For premature babies, the Advanced Newborn Eye Screening can be life-changing in terms of preserving vision. The exam enables:

• Early diagnosis of ROP and other eye conditions such as retinal hemorrhages, congenital cataracts, colobomas, and intraocular infections;

• Monitoring the development of the retina during the first weeks of life;

• Guiding timely clinical or surgical interventions;

• Digital image documentation for future comparison and multidisciplinary follow-up.

  
  

Prevention is the best approach

Ophthalmologic follow-up should be a fundamental part of neonatal care — especially for premature infants. The earlier eye issues are detected, the greater the chances of successful treatment and healthy visual development.

Advanced Newborn Eye Screening is quick, painless, and safe — and it can be performed right in the maternity ward, preferably between the 2nd and 5th day of life. In NICU-admitted premature babies, the exam should be performed based on medical criteria and the baby’s clinical stability.

Caring for a baby's vision from the very beginning is key to ensuring quality of life, especially for preemies. Advanced Newborn Eye Screening offers a powerful tool for detecting serious visual conditions early, before they cause irreversible harm.

At Pr3vent, we specialize in pediatric eye health and perform Advanced Newborn Eye Screening using cutting-edge technology and a highly trained team. If your baby was born prematurely, talk to your pediatrician and schedule the screening — because seeing the world from day one is every baby’s right.