Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Visualization of the Superior Ocular Sulcus during Danio rerio Embryogenesis
08:03

Visualization of the Superior Ocular Sulcus during Danio rerio Embryogenesis

Published on: March 27, 2019

Ophthalmic abnormalities in children with Down syndrome

Alexandra L Creavin1, Ray D Brown

  • 1University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, United Kingdom.

Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
|April 7, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with Down syndrome commonly experience ophthalmic disorders like refractive errors and strabismus. Regular eye screenings are crucial for early detection and management of these vision issues.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatrics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Children with Down syndrome (DS) have a higher prevalence of ocular abnormalities compared to the general pediatric population.
  • Early identification and management of ophthalmic conditions are vital for preserving vision in children with DS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize available literature on common ophthalmic disorders in children (0-16 years) with Down syndrome.
  • To highlight the need for structured ophthalmic screening programs for this population.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted across seven electronic databases, including MEDLINE and EMBASE.
  • Search terms combined Down syndrome, ophthalmology, and pediatrics, yielding 230 articles; 23 were included after applying exclusion criteria.

Main Results:

  • Refractive errors (especially hyperopia) and strabismus (particularly esodeviation) were common findings.
  • Poor visual acuity, nystagmus, and blepharitis were also frequently observed.
  • Cataracts and glaucoma, though less common, pose significant risks to vision.

Conclusions:

  • Children with Down syndrome require regular ophthalmic screening due to a high risk of various eye conditions.
  • Further research is needed to optimize the implementation of screening programs and interprofessional collaboration.

More Related Videos

Grossing of Non-neoplastic Globes, Including Fetal Eyes05:15

Grossing of Non-neoplastic Globes, Including Fetal Eyes

Published on: May 30, 2025

In vivo Structural Assessments of Ocular Disease in Rodent Models using Optical Coherence Tomography07:44

In vivo Structural Assessments of Ocular Disease in Rodent Models using Optical Coherence Tomography

Published on: July 24, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Meiosis I01:49

Meiosis I

Meiosis is a carefully orchestrated set of cell divisions, the goal of which—in humans—is to produce haploid sperm or eggs, each containing half the number of chromosomes present in somatic cells elsewhere in the body. Meiosis I is the first such division, and involves several key steps, among them: condensation of replicated chromosomes in diploid cells; the pairing of homologous chromosomes and their exchange of information; and finally, the separation of homologous chromosomes by a...
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
Nondisjunction01:29

Nondisjunction

During meiosis, chromosomes occasionally separate improperly. This occurs due to failure of homologous chromosome separation during meiosis I or failed sister chromatid separation during meiosis II. In some species, notably plants, nondisjunction can result in an organism with an entire additional set of chromosomes, which is called polyploidy. In humans, nondisjunction can occur during male or female gametogenesis and the resulting gametes possess one too many or one too few chromosomes.
Nondisjunction01:21

Nondisjunction

Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate correctly and move to the opposite poles of the cells. This produces daughter cells with abnormal chromosome numbers.  Nondisjunction is common during anaphase I or anaphase II of meiosis.  Mutations in synaptonemal complex proteins that attach homologous chromosomes increase the chances of nondisjunction in anaphase I of meiosis I. In contrast, mutations in topoisomerases and condensins that hold sister...
Focusing of Light in the Eye01:16

Focusing of Light in the Eye

Light rays enter the eye through the cornea, a transparent dome-shaped tissue that is the eye's outermost layer. The cornea bends or refracts, light rays traveling to the pupil. The shape of the cornea determines how much of the light is bent and whether the image will be focused correctly on the retina at the back of the eye. Once the light has passed through both refraction layers, it converges into a single focal point onto a small area. This is where photoreceptors start transforming...
Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...