Use Of Obstetric Forceps Research Articles

BIRTH INJURY OF THE CORNEA WITH "GLASS MEMBRANE" IN THE ANTERIOR CHAMBER

Among the numerous hazards incurred by the fetus in its passage through the birth canal are those involving the ocular structures. Any factors which increase the stress on the fetal head during parturition will augment the chances of injury. These factors include narrowness or deformity of the maternal pelvis, prolonged labor and the use of obstetric forceps. In general, birth trauma involves the eyes of the newborn child by direct injury to the lids and eyeball, by the development of retinal and other intraocular hemorrhages and by intracranial damage to the visual and oculomotor pathways. The most frequent and serious injuries to the eye are the result of direct hurt by forceps. The left eye is implicated in the majority of instances, probably, as Lloyd 1 has pointed out, owing to the greater frequency of left occipitoanterior presentation and the greater chance of injury to the posteriorly placed left eye.