[In utero study of the eye of normal fetuses. Static ultrasonographic aspects and clinical implications].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Some ocular diseases are detected by amniotic fluid analysis. However, some serious eye malformations are only detected at birth. By analogy to other organs, we were concerned by fetal sonography studying in utero ocular structures.

METHODS

We performed 150 fetal sonograph with 2 abdominal probes and one vaginal probe. We defined: (a) Axes where ocular structures are best visualised, (b) sonographic images of these structures, (c) the date at which these structures are detected.

RESULTS

Orbit are detected between 11th and 12th week amenorrhae. Lens are detected between 12th and 14th week. Hyaloid artery appears around the 18th and disappears around the 32nd. Lids were recognised at 16th week. These results were confirmed by similar studies. Pathologic cases described in the literature are discussed.

CONCLUSION

Fetal sonography must include a precise study of the eye. However, the eye is a small organ, so its study implicates technically skilled and an experienced practitioner. Fetal sonography gives precise information about normal eye development and allows the detection of structural anomalies (anophthalmos, microphthalmos, cyclopia) or orbital prenatal malformations (hyaloid artery persistance).