It has been suggested that retinal hemorrhages at birth may be the cause of organic amblyopia and strabismus later in life. Of 1,000 newborns examined within the first 24 hours of life, we found 245 cases with retinal hemorrhages; the macula was involved in 18 patients. Five children who had macular hemorrhages at birth were available for reexamination; visual acuity and ocular motility were normal. On the basis of this study we conclude that macular hemorrhages at birth do not play a significant role in the cause of amblyopia or strabismus.