External ocular exam in premature newborns: results and difficulties

Abstract

The external ocular exam is a simple action to detect visual alterations in the neonatal phase. One aimed to describe the clinical findings and relate them to some neonatal history’s variables, in premature newborns (PNB). Descriptive, quantitative study conducted in a public maternity, in Fortaleza-CE, from March to May, 2004 with 114 PNB, through a form. Concerning the findings, 27% of the PNB showed alteration in the eyelid, 16% in the conjunctive, 14% in the sclera, 9% in the lacrimal duct, 6% in the cornea and 5% in the pupil. None of them showed alterations in the eye browns and iris. There was significant association between sclera alterations and use of medicine thought the eyes (p=0,055). The difficulties were: approach to usage, few alert periods and small eye structures. Nurses need to know the main neonatal visual alterations, because their care involves therapies that can bring complications to the visual system.