[Routine investigation of foetal eyes--in what way and what for?].

The investigation of foetal eyes not only allows for the observation of ocular development. It is supportive and sometimes even mandatory for the diagnosis of systemic and ocular syndromes. This review gives an overview about the investigation of foetal eyes, their assignment to developmental stages, challenges related to the investigation of foetal eyes, clinically relevant syndromes, and academic questions. The morphological development of the eye has been investigated since the 19th century and will not be covered in this article. The investigation of foetal eyes that have been collected during the routine paediatric autopsy, is complicated by artifacts. Artifacts are the result of autolysis, fixation, and mechanical manipulation. They have to be distinguished from genuine findings. Besides the search for findings such as coloboma or cataract, the morphological classification of the foetal eye is of importance. The anterior-posterior diameter allows for the diagnosis of microphthalmia. The case reports comprise Goldenhar's syndrome, MIDAS syndrome and others. In conclusion, the investigation of foetal eyes is often helpful and critical for paediatric diagnostics and should be performed with great care. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.