ULTRASOUND AS A SCREENING TOOL FOR FETAL GLAUCOMA: A CLINICAL APPROACH

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The World Health Organization's VISION 2020 initiative has recognised paediatric glaucoma as the third leading cause of significant visual impairment and blindness in children in low- and middle-income countries, accounting for 5% of global childhood blindness. Childhood glaucoma is a critical condition in paediatric ophthalmology, causing damage to the optic nerve and ganglion cells. The objective of the study was to assess the feasibility of ultrasonography screening in pregnant women for the early identification of probable congenital glaucoma in the fetus. Material and methods of the study. To achieve this, we conducted a comprehensive ultrasound examination of 500 pregnant women at the Republican Centre for Mother and Child Screening in 2022-2024. The article was prepared on the basis of the results of the planned dissertation research (Registration code B2023.3.DSc/Tib902; due dates: 2022 -2025). Results: Ultrasound scans of pregnant women provide important information for ophthalmologists. Ultrasound screening of pregnant women, monitoring the orbits and eyeballs of the fetuses, was performed from 20 to 40 weeks of gestation. Of the total, data were analysed for 2 (0.4%) cases of fetal eye pathology in which echographic indicators of glaucoma, known as buphthalmos, were identified. After birth, the suspected diagnosis of congenital glaucoma was confirmed in the children, requiring emergency hospitalisation and surgical intervention. This is particularly important in children with congenital glaucoma to prevent blindness and visual impairment in the future. Conclusions: This imaging could serve as a cost-effective and safe screening technique that provides important information to ophthalmologists. Comprehensive ultrasound assessment of embryonic ocular structures may provide significant information and identify congenital glaucoma in infants. Accurate diagnosis and verification of congenital glaucoma typically requires more specialised ophthalmological assessment postnatally.