How to carry out a fundus reflex screen in children three years and under
Vision screening
There are three types of vision screen:
- Fundus reflex screen – for children three years and under
- Distance vision screen – for children over three years, and adults
- Near vision screen – for adults 40 years or older. This is because near vision can reduce with age, a condition called presbyopia. You may like to return to Lesson one: Vision and vision problems to remind yourself about presbyopia.
Instruksi
Work through the following topics to learn how to carry out a vision screen with people of different ages.
Use the PEC Screen form to guide you.
Fundus reflex
The fundus reflex happens in dim conditions when a light shines directly into a person’s eye.
The light enters the eye through the pupil (black central part of the eye). The light reflects off the inside surface of the back of the eye (fundus), and returns through the pupil, appearing as a reddish-orange glow.
Tip
You may have seen the fundus reflex in photos, where light from the camera flash makes a person’s eyes appear red.
Problems with the fundus reflex can indicate vision or eye health problems.
It is important to screen the fundus reflex in children three years and under, especially in young babies.
This can help to detect vision or eye health problems early.
Healthy fundus reflex
The colour and brightness of the fundus reflex should be the same in both eyes.
The fundus reflex can appear differently, depending on the person’s skin colour:
- In people with lighter skin, the reflex usually looks red or orange.
- For those with medium skin tones, it may appear orange to yellow.
- In people with darker skin, it can range from yellow to green or bluish.
All of these colour variations are healthy.
Kegiatan
Look at the examples of healthy fundus reflexes below.
Perhatikan ciri-ciri berikut ini:
- The colour and brightness of the reflex is the same in both eyes
- Some people have yellow or orange fundus reflexes, others have red reflexes.
Problems with the fundus reflex
Problems with the fundus reflex include:
- No fundus reflex
- A white reflex rather than yellow/orange/red/other normal colour
- A difference in colour or brightness of the reflex between the eyes
- Black areas or shadows in the reflex.
Any of these results can indicate a vision or eye health problem.
Instruksi
Read through the list of problems with the fundus reflex and look at the corresponding images.
No fundus reflex in right eye
White reflexes in both eyes
Image pending
Fundus reflex screen
Anda membutuhkan:
- Room with low light
- Ophthalmoscope or Arclight – a device to shine light and look into the person’s eye
- A chair for the caregiver, and a chair for yourself.
Menjelaskan
- You will shine a light into the child’s eyes to check their reflexes
- This will help you to check that both eyes are healthy
- The child will not feel any pain or discomfort.
Screen fundus reflex
- In a room with low light, ask the parent or caregiver to sit comfortably in a chair holding the child
- Adjust the ophthalmoscope or Arclight’s power to zero
- Sit about 50 centimetres from the child, with your eyes at the level of the child’s eyes
- Hold the ophthalmoscope or Arclight to your eye and shine into the child’s eyes
- Look for bright, equal fundus reflexes in each eye.
Instruksi
Watch the video of a health worker carrying out the fundus reflex screen.
Record results
Do both eyes have a healthy fundus reflex?
- If yes continue
- If no record details and then continue. When you have finished the screen refer to an eye health professional urgently.
Kegiatan
Practice screening the fundus reflex with your colleagues. Take turns at being the child. Record your results on the PEC Screen form.