Refractive and Vision Status in Down Syndrome: A Comparative Study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Genetics
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Down syndrome (DS) is associated with various health complications, including ocular abnormalities.
• Understanding the prevalence of refractive errors and visual impairment in DS is crucial for timely management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the prevalence of refractive errors and visual impairment in patients with Down syndrome (DS) against age- and gender-matched normal controls.
• To investigate differences in specific refractive error types and visual outcomes between the two groups.

Main Methods:

• Cycloplegic refraction was performed on 213 DS patients and 184 controls using autorefraction and retinoscopy.
• Data from the worse eye of each participant were analyzed to determine refractive error parameters and visual impairment prevalence.

Main Results:

• DS patients exhibited higher rates of visual impairment (11.7% vs. 0.5%) and amblyopia (36.3% vs. 3.8%) compared to controls (p<0.001).
• The prevalence of oblique astigmatism was significantly higher in the DS group (20.4% vs. 6.1%, p<0.001).
• Mean spherical equivalent (SE) was more myopic in DS patients (-5.13 D vs. -4.15 D, p=0.050).

Conclusions:

• Refractive errors, amblyopia, and visual impairment are more prevalent in individuals with Down syndrome.
• Emmetropization appears to be defective or delayed in DS patients.
• Astigmatism axis rotation differs between DS patients and controls, suggesting unique visual development pathways.