Ocular manifestations in children with cerebral palsy

To evaluate the prevalence of ocular abnormalities among children with cerebral palsy, 140 patients with age between 6 months and 16 years were selected and the overall incidence of ocular abnormalities in this study was 42.1%. Two major ocular abnormalities identified in these cases were strabismus in 36.4%. Myopia was detected in 12.9% children while hypermetropia in 8.6% and astigmatism in 3.6% cases. Non-glaucomatous optic atrophy was present in 10.7% cases and nystagmus in 9.3% cases. Raised intra-ocular pressure was detected in 2.1% cases. Cortical visual impairment was seen in 20.7% children. Ocular abnormalities are frequent manifestations in cerebral palsy patients. Therefore, evaluation of all cerebral palsy cases emphasises the need for a full ophthalmological examination in order to detect ocular problems and to institute necessary therapy of the abnormalities for better livelihood of these physically challenged patients.