What Is Detected in the Advanced Newborn Eye Screening and How Does It Work?

Vision is one of the most important senses for a baby’s healthy development. From the very first days of life, the eyes begin to capture visual stimuli that are essential for learning and interacting with the world. That’s why early identification of any eye abnormality can make all the difference. In this context, the Advanced Newborn Eye Screening emerges as a modern, non-invasive technology that goes beyond the traditional screening and provides a more complete mapping of a newborn’s eye health.

What is the Advanced Newborn Eye Screening?

The Advanced Newborn Eye Screening is an advanced version of the Red Reflex Test, commonly known as the “Newborn Eye Test.” It uses high-tech imaging equipment to examine in greater depth the internal structures of the baby’s eyes, such as the retina, optic nerve, macula, and blood vessels. This test allows for the detection of silent diseases that could permanently affect vision, often before any visible symptoms appear.

What can it detect?

The Advanced Newborn Eye Screening is capable of identifying several serious eye conditions that require early intervention. The main ones include:

1. Retinoblastoma

A type of eye cancer that affects infants and young children. When detected early, retinoblastoma can be successfully treated, preserving vision and, in many cases, saving the child’s life.

2. Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

Common in premature babies, ROP is caused by the abnormal development of blood vessels in the retina. If untreated, it can lead to retinal detachment and blindness.

3. Congenital Cataract

Characterized by clouding of the lens, it can be diagnosed in both the traditional and advanced screenings. The advanced screening has the advantage of assessing the severity of the cataract and the involvement of other eye structures.

4. Congenital Glaucoma

A rare but serious condition that increases intraocular pressure. Early detection prevents damage to the optic nerve and irreversible vision loss.

5. Coloboma and other malformations

The advanced screening can also identify developmental anomalies such as coloboma, a malformation that affects the iris, retina, or optic nerve.

6. Congenital Infections

Diseases like toxoplasmosis, rubella, and cytomegalovirus can leave lesions in the baby’s retina, which are clearly detected through the advanced screening.

How does the screening work?

The Advanced Newborn Eye Screening is quick, painless, and safe. It is performed with the baby awake, usually within the first days of life, either at the maternity ward or in specialized clinics. Here's how it works in practice:

• Preparation: Eye drops are applied to dilate the baby’s pupils, allowing for better visualization of internal eye structures.

• Image capture: A high-resolution digital imaging device is used to take photos of the back of the eye.

• Specialist analysis: The images are reviewed by trained ophthalmologists who look for any abnormalities or diseases.

• Report and follow-up: If any issues are detected, the parents are guided on appropriate treatment and follow-up.

  
  

Why is it so important?

The major benefit of the Advanced Newborn Eye Screening is the early detection of conditions that, when treated in the first months of life, have a much better prognosis. Vision is fundamental for a child’s cognitive, motor, and social development — and undiagnosed problems can lead to significant delays or even irreversible blindness.

In addition, the screening can be a first step in identifying other systemic conditions, such as genetic syndromes or neurological problems, that present with ocular signs.

Investing in a screening like the Advanced Newborn Eye Screening means taking care of your baby’s visual and overall health from birth. It complements standard neonatal screenings and offers parents greater peace of mind by ensuring their child’s vision is developing properly.

Talk to your pediatrician or visit a specialized clinic to learn more about how to perform the screening. Prevention is always the best path.