Infrared eye injury not due to radiant warmer use in premature neonates
S. Baumgart, A. Knauth, F. X. Casey and G. E. Quinn
Department of Pediatric, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.
OBJECTIVE--Exposure to far-wavelength infrared radiation (lambda > 2000
nm) may cause corneal opacity, miosis, and delayed cataracts (onset > 30
days). Near-wavelength infrared exposure (lambda < 1000 nm) may focus on
the retina, causing burns; however, early eye examinations in neonates
nursed under radiant warmers have failed to reveal acute injuries. Our
purpose is to report long-term ophthalmologic outcome in infants treated
under radiant warmers from birth. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS--We report
findings from eye examinations in infants followed up to a median age of 2
years, 9 months (range, 1 to 75 months), for (1) 33 infants nursed
exclusively under radiant warmers for up to 5 days postnatally (mean [+/-
SD] birth weight, 1.16 +/- 0.24 kg; mean gestation, 30 +/- 2 weeks) and (2)
14 convection-warmed incubator-nursed infants (1.26 +/- 0.22 kg, 31 +/- 2
weeks), who were slightly more mature. MAIN RESULTS--A trend toward
retinopathy of prematurity was noted as occurring more frequently in the
radiant warmer-nursed infant population, and one infant in that group was
blind. However, no macular burns and no permanent corneal, lens, or other
anterior segment injuries were observed. CONCLUSION--Preliminary findings
do not support permanent eye damage attributable to near- or far-wavelength
infrared injury in neonates nursed under radiant warmers.
