Ocular hazards during birth.

In a study of over 2,000 consecutive live births, 243 newborns (12%) suffered birth trauma to the eye and its adnexa. Two hundred twenty-one cases (11%) had multiple retinal hemorrhages. Severe ocular accidents by forceps delivery were seen in the form of hyphema, Purtscher's retinopathy, corneal edema, facial palsy, and corneal abscess. Purtscher's retinopathy and corneal abscess are rare birth injuries that have not been reported so far in newborn babies.