Ultraschall Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2318-5464
Continuing Medical Education

Fetal eye ultrasound: Normal anatomy, abnormal findings, and clinical impact

Article in several languages: English | deutsch
Karl-Oliver Kagan
1   Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Department of Women’s Health, Tübingen, Germany
,
Frank Tost
2   Department of Ophthalmology, University Medicine Greifswald, Germany
,
Kai-Sven Heling
3   Medical practice, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis and Human Genetics, Berlin, Germany
,
Markus Hoopmann
1   Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Department of Women’s Health, Tübingen, Germany
,
Jiri Sonek
4   Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Wright State University, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, United States
5   Fetal Medicine Foundation USA, Dayton, United States
,
Rabih Chaoui
6   Medical Practice, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis and Human Genetics, Berlin, Germany
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Until now, ultrasound examination of the fetal eyes has not played an important role in prenatal diagnosis. National and international guidelines are generally confined to documentation of the presence of the orbits and the lenses. However, in recent years, with the advent of high-resolution ultrasound technology and increasing knowledge of prenatal medicine and genetics, careful examination of the fetal eye has enabled the detection of many ocular malformations before birth. This article provides an overview of the anatomy related to the development of the fetal eye and covers the following conditions: hypertelorism, hypotelorism, exophthalmos, microphthalmos, coloboma, cataract, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, retinal detachment, dacryocystocele, and septooptic dysplasia, etc. It is designed to illustrate the spectrum of ocular malformations and their appearance on prenatal ultrasound and to discuss their clinical impact and association with various syndromes.



Publication History

Article published online:
07 June 2024

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