FDA approves wide-field imaging system for newborns

Visunex says its PanoCam Pro wide-field imaging system can detect external, anterior and posterior segment vision disorders in newborns.

As a wireless imaging system, the PanoCam Pro is intended to help ophthalmologists and maternal clinicians identify vision disorders in neonatal intensive care units, operating rooms, birthing centers and clinics.

"The advent of technology that helps assess the structures and function of the retina, combined with software solutions that elevate patient care is a huge step forward," said Darius M. Moshfeghi, MD, director of pediatric vitreoretinal surgery at Stanford University. Dr. Moshfeghi runs the Stanford University Network for the Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (SUNDROP), which is the largest network looking at the care of premature infants who may be at the greatest risk of newborn vision disorders.

Although eye testing is most commonly performed when a child enters kindergarten at the age of 5 or 6, some clinicians believe screening newborns may help shed light on the significance of disorders such as retinal hemorrhages which may be a precursor to amblyopia.