The Red Reflex Test Results During the first 2 years of life at a Well Child Outpatient Clinics in a Group of Children

Öz

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the red reflex tests performed during the follow-ups in the first two years of age in a Well Child Outpatient Clinic (WCOC).

Materials and Methods: The study included 1442 children born between 2015 and 2019 and followed up at Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, WCOC. Red reflex test results during the first year of life were evaluated retrospectively. Age, gender, date of birth, date of reflex first test of available ophthalmological examination results of the children with abnormal red reflex test were collected from the records of each child. The SPSS-21 package program was used for statistical analyses.

Results: Among 1442 children, 5.19% (n = 75) were referred to an ophthalmologist because of an abnormal red reflex test. Of the 75 suspicious children, 31 were normal after examination by an ophthalmologist, and 44 were pathological. One child with an abnormal red reflex had cataract, one child had retinal detachment, one child had nistagmus, and 36 children had strabismus. Five children had visual defects, including one with myopia, two with hypermetropia, and two with astigmatism.

Conclusion: The red reflex test, which can be easily performed by physicians, is used to detect visual impairment at an early stage and to take preventive measures. To reduce preventable visual impairment, family history and risk factors should be assessed in every child who comes for pediatric care, a medical history should be taken, and visual assessment should be part of the examination at every follow-up visit.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Red reflex test
• well-child follow up
• pediatric eye care

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