Abstract 45

Aims: To evaluate the protection given to the eyes of neonates by a phototherapy hood during blue light therapy.

Materials: Amber 300 phototherapy hood (Viamed Ltd), Radiance meter R450-RAD (Macam Photometrics Ltd.), Dräger Phototherapie 800 unit.

Measurements: Hazard weighted blue light radiance during phototherapy.

Results: Measured radiance levels are shown in the table:

Table 1 No caption available.
Full size table

Conclusions: We recommend that the caudal edge of the shadow cast by the phototherapy hood must always be at least 3 cm inferior to the infant's lower eyelids. The vulnerability of the neonatal retina and the relatively high levels of blue light radiance visible from within the shadow of the hood make it advisable to use more effective eye protection. Triple phototherapy using a lamb at the foot end of the incubator is clearly hazardous unless the infant's eyes are protected by eye-patches.