Media Coverage

Babies’ eye damage and Zika? Brazil study suggests a link

A journal editorial by two Northwestern University eye specialists notes that infections other than Zika have been linked with similar eye problems, and calls the potential link with Zika “presumptive.” Drs. Lee Jampol and Debra Goldstein say it’s unclear if the eye lesions found in the study occur in babies without microcephaly, so they don’t recommend routine eye tests in all babies in Zika-infested regions.

Babies’ eye damage and Zika? Brazil study suggests a link

A journal editorial by two Northwestern University eye specialists notes that infections other than Zika have been linked with similar eye problems, and calls the potential link with Zika “presumptive.” Drs. Lee Jampol and Debra Goldstein say it’s unclear if the eye lesions found in the study occur in babies without microcephaly, so they don’t recommend routine eye tests in all babies in Zika-infested regions.

Poverty scholar among 9 winners of Israeli foundation prize

ther recipients this year are historians Inga Clendinnen, Catherine Hall, and Arlette Farge, and scientists Paul Alivisatos, Chad Mirkin and John Pendry.

Previous recipients include former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Eye Defects in Some Babies With Zika Microcephaly

However, Dr. Lee Jampol and Dr. Debra Goldstein, from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, pointed out in an accompanying journal editorial that microcephaly may have several causes. The birth defect may be genetic, metabolic, drug-related or due to problems during pregnancy such as malnutrition, infection or lack of oxygen.

Some babies born with Zika virus have serious eye problems

“Based on current information, in our opinion, clinicians in areas where Zika virus is present should perform ophthalmologic examinations on all microcephalic babies,” Dr. Lee M. Jampol, a professor of opthalmology at Northwestern University wrote in an editorial in Wednesday’s medical journal. “Because it is still unclear whether the eye lesions occur in the absence of microcephaly, it is premature to suggest ophthalmic screening of all babies born in epidemic areas.”

Eye Defects Seen in Some Babies Born With Zika-Linked Microcephaly

However, Dr. Lee Jampol and Dr. Debra Goldstein, from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, pointed out in an accompanying journal editorial that microcephaly may have several causes. The birth defect may be genetic, metabolic, drug-related or due to problems during pregnancy such as malnutrition, infection or lack of oxygen.

Some Brazilian babies with Zika-related birth defects show eye problems

In an accompanying editorial, Lee Jampol and Debra Goldstein of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine suggest doctors perform thorough eye exams on all babies with microcephaly in areas with Zika outbreaks.

“We’re very concerned about this,” said Jampol, a professor of ophthalmology at Northwestern. “There hasn’t been enough testing yet to know what these babies’ vision is going to be.”

Zika tied to major eye defects in babies with microcephaly, study finds

Lee Jampol, a professor of ophthalmology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, said that lesions found in the babies’ retinas could have far-reaching effects for families trying to care for the infants and the next generation.