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Preventable visual impairment in children with nonprofound intellectual disability
Lokman Aslan1, Murat Aslankurt, Adnan Aksoy
1Ophthalmolgy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras¸ - Turkey. lokaslan46@yahoo.com
European Journal of Ophthalmology
|May 4, 2013
Summary
Children with intellectual disability (ID) have a high rate of preventable vision problems like refractive errors and strabismus. Early eye screenings are crucial for managing these conditions and improving their quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Intellectual disability (ID) affects a significant pediatric population.
- Visual impairments can negatively impact development and quality of life in children with ID.
- Early detection and management of ocular conditions are essential for this vulnerable group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence of preventable visual impairments in children with nonprofound intellectual disability.
- To compare ocular findings between children with Down syndrome (DS) and other forms of nonprofound ID.
- To identify specific ophthalmic conditions requiring intervention in pediatric ID.
Main Methods:
- Ophthalmologic examinations were conducted on 215 children with ID (90 with DS, 125 with other ID) and 116 healthy controls.
- Comprehensive eye assessments included cycloplegic refraction, ocular motility evaluation, strabismus screening, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, funduscopy, and intraocular pressure measurement.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare findings across groups.
Main Results:
- Refractive errors were the most common finding (61.1% in DS, 45.6% in other ID) compared to controls (11.2%).
- Strabismus was significantly more prevalent in children with DS (33.2%) and other ID (15.2%) than in controls (3.5%).
- Cataracts and nystagmus were observed in children with ID but not in the control group.
Conclusions:
- Children with intellectual disability exhibit a high prevalence of visually impairing conditions, including refractive errors, strabismus, and cataracts.
- Down syndrome is associated with a higher frequency of strabismus and specific refractive errors like hyperopia.
- Routine ophthalmic screenings are vital for early detection and management to enhance the quality of life for children with ID.
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