Visual Defects in Special Olympics Participants From Europe

To describe visual problems among athletes with intellectual disabilities (IDs) and the role of vision in special sports.

A cross-sectional observational study.

Athletes participating in Special Olympics European Summer Games 2010 in Warsaw attended vision screening by Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes.

Coaches were encouraged to bring all athletes to screening without selection; 900 athletes from 52 European countries participated.

Standard noninvasive eye examination procedures. Independent variables were age, gender, sport, and country of origin.

Eyeglasses wear, presenting visual acuity, refractive error, and ocular health.

Testability rates were very high. Findings confirmed high prevalence of ocular/visual defects in people with ID. There was an association between acuity and sport discipline. Few athletes used sports glasses. Screening revealed a lack of eye care even in the most developed nations.

The impact of vision on sports activity in athletes with ID is significant. More needs to be done to ensure good vision and safety correction for active people with ID. Better provision and greater awareness of eye care in people with ID is needed in all European societies.

Data presented highlight the need for increased awareness of the role of vision in sporting achievements, personal development, and quality of life in active people with ID. Athletes with ID should have easily accessible comprehensive eye care, and when appropriate, corrective and protective glasses. This will require the efficient cooperation of vision specialists, coaches, carers, and athletes themselves.