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The eye test, also known as the red reflex test, is a test performed during the first week of life of the newborn and which aims to identify early changes in vision, such as congenital cataracts, glaucoma or strabismus, for example, being also considered an important tool in the prevention of childhood blindness.
Although it is indicated that the test should be performed in the maternity ward, the eye test can also be performed at the first consultation with the pediatrician, and must be repeated at 4, 6, 12 and 24 months.
The eye test should be performed on all newborns, especially those who were born with microcephaly or whose mothers were infected with the Zika virus during pregnancy, as there is a greater risk of developing changes in vision.
What is it for
The eye test serves to identify any change in the baby's vision that is suggestive of diseases such as congenital cataracts, glaucoma, retinoblastoma, high degrees of myopia and hyperopia and even blindness.
How the test is done
The eye test does not hurt and is quick, being performed by the pediatrician through a small device that projects a light into the eyes of the newborn.
When this light is reflected reddish, orange or yellowish it means that the baby's eye structures are healthy. However, when the reflected light is whitish or differently between the eyes, other tests should be done with the ophthalmologist to investigate the possibility of vision problems.
When to do other eye exams
In addition to the eye test right after birth, the baby should be taken to an ophthalmologist for consultation in the first year of life and at 3 years of age. In addition, parents should be aware of signs of vision problems, such as not following the movement of objects and lights, the presence of photos in which the child's eyes reflect white light or the presence of crossed eyes after 3 years of age, which indicates strabismus.
In the presence of these signs, the child should be taken for examinations with the ophthalmologist, facilitating the identification of the problem and the appropriate treatment to prevent more serious problems, such as blindness.
See other tests that the baby should do shortly after birth.