Course: The Young Eye: Embryology, Part 2 - Second trimester to birth, Section: Unit 5

General

Domains: Clinical practice, Communication

No CPD Points

The human eye is one of the most complex organs in the body. Its formation during early development defines its functions and qualities for the rest of our lives.

In this two-part series, we follow the developmental journey of one foetus from conception through to birth. Starting at the very beginning we examine the issues that can arise at each developmental stage and the clinical conditions they result in.

Before you start the second part of the course, please ensure that you have either completed The Young Eye: Embryology - Part One or you are familiar with the content.

Part two follows foetal development through the remainder of pregnancy, looking further at the formation of ocular structures such as the retina, the anterior eye and the extra-ocular muscles. It also explores how maternal behaviour, such as alcohol or drug consumption can affect the foetus’ development at this stage. Additionally, the importance of nutrition is reviewed, along with the consequences of dietary deficiencies.

By the final trimester, all the components of the foetus’s eye are recognisable, though their cells will continue to mature even after birth. Unit five looks at these processes that make up final ocular development. It will also outline the defects that can be caused by a premature or traumatic birth, and what tests can be used to determine the abilities of the eyes following parturition.

The aim of the course is to raise awareness of risks to pregnant women regarding eye disease and offer a better understanding why some people express various conditions, so you can explain those to your patients.

First published: September 2018
Last reviewed: August 2024

Unit 5 - From birth onwards (~20 min)

Please note: You will need to allow 'pop ups' on your browser in order to view this content.

You can work through each section of this course at your own pace and return to any section as many times as you like.

You may find it easier to view this course on a desktop computer or a tablet due to the detailed content. See our FAQ on how to screencast from a phone to a larger screen.

Click below to launch the course.

e-LearningUnit 5 - From birth onwards e-Learning
Additional reading
Wright K, Spiegel P (2003) Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Springer.
References
Brown A (1990) Development of visual sensitivity to light and color vision in human infants: A critical review. Vision Research; 30(8), 1159-1188
Chen J, Smith L (2007) Retinopathy of prematurity. Angiogenesis; 10(2), pp 133-140
Cleary-Goldman J et al. (2005) Impact of maternal age on obstetric outcome. Obstetrics and Gynecology; 105(5 Pt 1), pp 983-990
Eventov-Friedman S et al. (2010) The red reflex examination in neonates: An efficient tool for early diagnosis of congenital ocular diseases. Israel Medical Association Journal; 12(5), pp 259-261
URLKim S, Port A, Swan R et al. (2018) Retinopathy of prematurity: a review of risk factors and their clinical significance. Survey of ophthalmology; 63(5), pp 618–637 [Accessed Aug 2024] URL Opens in a new window.
Mills D (1999) The Eye in Childhood. American Family Physician; 1;60(3), pp 907-916
Seemiller E, Wang J, Candy T (2016) Sensitivity of vergence responses of 5 to 10-week-old human infants. Journal of Vision; 16(3), pp 20
URLToli A, Perente A, Labiris G (2021) Evaluation of the red reflex: An overview for the pediatrician. World journal of methodology; 11(5), pp 263–277 [Accessed Aug 2024] URL Opens in a new window.
Varghese R et al (2009) Refractive status at birth: Its relation to newborn physical parameters at birth and gestational age. PLOS ONE 4(2), p.e4469
Zhu X, Zhao R, Wang Y et al. (2017) Refractive state and optical compositions of preterm children with and without retinopathy of prematurity in the first 6 years of life. Medicine; 96 (45), p e8565