[Ocular findings in 304 children with Down syndrome]

To identify the characteristics and frequency of ocular findings in Japanese children with Down syndrome.

A total of 304 Japanese children with Down syndrome at an average age of 7 years and 4 months were examined for ocular findings from June 2009 to January 2011.

Most had hyperopia (69.1%) and astigmatism (58.5%). Both normal and oblique astigmatism were common. Spectacles were necessary in 91.3%. The average visual acuity at 8 years was 0.305 logMAR. Under 6 years, stripe and picture visual acuity charts were useful. Strabismus (36.5%, esotorpia 23.3%), nystagmus (25.7%), stereopsis (46.0%), entropion of eyelids (18.8%), cataract (10.5%), and corneal disease (3 cases) were found. Medullated nerve fibers (3 cases), pseudo disc edema (2 cases), and other retinal changes including Leber congenital amaurosis like chorioretinal degeneration (3 cases) were also found.

The high incidence of refractive errors and strabisums in Down syndrome were confirmed. These must be treated during the sensitive period of visual development. For other ocular findings intensive ophthalmic care is important for children with Down syndrome from the time of infancy.