Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 30, 2025

Use of Rabbit Eyes in Pharmacokinetic Studies of Intraocular Drugs
10:02

Use of Rabbit Eyes in Pharmacokinetic Studies of Intraocular Drugs

Published on: July 23, 2016

32.3K

Ophthalmic manifestations in children with Down Syndrome in Bogotá, Colombia

William Rojas-Carabali1, María Camila Cortés-Albornoz1, Gabriela Flórez-Esparza1

  • 1Neuroscience (NEUROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, NeuroVitae Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Translational Medicine (IMT), Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 # 63C 69, Bogotá, Colombia.

BMC Ophthalmology
|May 15, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Children with Down syndrome (DS) often have significant, yet overlooked, ocular issues like amblyopia. Early detection and management by eye care professionals are crucial for preventing vision loss and supporting neurodevelopment in DS patients.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Genetics
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic condition associated with various health issues, including ocular abnormalities.
  • Understanding the specific ocular features in children with DS is essential for early intervention and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the ocular and refractive features in a cohort of children with Down syndrome (DS) in Bogotá, Colombia.
  • To identify common ophthalmological manifestations and their prevalence in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study evaluated 67 children with DS through comprehensive optometric and ophthalmological examinations.
  • Evaluations included visual acuity, ocular alignment, external eye assessment, biomicroscopy, auto-refractometry, and fundus examination.
  • Statistical analysis involved frequency distributions and Chi-square/Fisher's exact tests for categorical data, and ANOVA/Kruskal-Wallis for continuous data.

Main Results:

  • The study analyzed 134 eyes from 67 children (mean age 12.3 years).
  • Common refractive errors included hyperopia (47%), myopia (32.1%), and mixed astigmatism (18.7%).
  • Frequent ocular findings were oblique fissures (89.6%), amblyopia (54.5%), and lens opacities (39.4%). Female sex was linked to strabismus and amblyopia.

Conclusions:

  • A high prevalence of potentially vision-impairing ocular conditions was observed in children with DS.
  • Conditions like amblyopia can lead to irreversible vision loss and impact neurodevelopment.
  • Ophthalmologists and optometrists require heightened awareness to ensure timely assessment and management, improving outcomes for children with DS.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cross-sectionalDown SyndromeEyeOcular manifestationOphthalmology

More Related Videos

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism09:03

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism

Published on: March 27, 2012

45.7K
Electroretinogram Recording for Infants and Children under Anesthesia to Achieve Optimal Dark Adaptation and International Standards08:38

Electroretinogram Recording for Infants and Children under Anesthesia to Achieve Optimal Dark Adaptation and International Standards

Published on: September 3, 2020

6.1K

Related Concept Videos

Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
647
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment01:27

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
501
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...
6.2K
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment01:28

Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment

Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
584
Prosopagnosia01:24

Prosopagnosia

Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, is the inability to recognize faces. In severe cases, individuals with prosopagnosia may not recognize close family members, including parents and spouses, by their faces. For instance, someone with prosopagnosia might walk past their child in a crowd, only realizing their mistake upon noticing their child's distinctive backpack or favorite jacket. Prosopagnosia specifically impairs facial recognition, while the recognition of other objects or...
212