Central retinal arteries in hyperoxemia, and a possible role of fundusscopy in prevention of retrolental fibroplasia (retinopathia praematurorum).

Width and tortuosity of the central retinal arteries have been measured on fundus photographs of 9 full-term newborns under intensive care taken at least once in normoxemia and once in inadvertent hyperoxemia. In agreement with previous investigators no correlation was found between the actual paO2 and width of the arterioles. This is newly explained as a modification of the effect of paO2 on the vessel through acute asphyxia and adaptational phenomena. In opposition to the commonly accepted view on prevention of retrolental fibroplasia it is felt that the use of fundusscopy during intensive care should be reconsidered.