RETINAL EXAMINATIONS IN INFANTS AFTER EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE-OXYGENATION

Background: Ophthalmic examinations performed in infants undergoing ex tracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are recommended because ocula r abnormalities have been known to occur after this procedure. Methods : We reviewed medical records of infants treated with ECMO who subsequ ently underwent routine ophthalmic examination prior to or immediately after hospital discharge. Examinations were performed in a fashion si milar to that for retinopathy of prematurity screening. Results: Eye e xaminations were recorded for 171 patients (342 eyes). Fundus examinat ion was normal in 302 eyes (88%). Abnormal retinovascular findings suc h as venous dilation or intraretinal hemorrhages, when present, were n ot considered vision threatening and required no treatment. Conclusion : Clinically important retinal findings were not identified in our pat ients undergoing postECMO screening. Routine dilated fundus examinatio n is probably not cost effective and places additional and potentially unnecessary stress on these infants.