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Pediatric Ocular Health and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Review

Marco Zaffanello1, Erika Bonacci2, Giorgio Piacentini1

  • 1Pediatric Clinic, Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy.

Pediatric Reports
|December 22, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) significantly impacts children's eye health, causing corneal and optic nerve changes. Treatment may improve retinal vascular density and reduce choroidal thickness.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is known to affect adult ocular health.
  • Its relevance in pediatric ocular health remains debated.
  • Children with OSA experience upper airway obstruction during sleep, impacting systemic health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and ocular health in children.
  • To explore the effects of pediatric OSA on various ocular structures.
  • To assess potential improvements in ocular health following OSA treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect).
  • Inclusion criteria focused on English articles examining the effects of OSA on children's eyes.
  • Six relevant studies were selected for review, analyzing choroidal, retinal, optic nerve, and corneal changes.

Main Results:

  • Pediatric OSA patients showed corneal anomalies and increased optic nerve thickness, potentially linked to intermittent hypoxia.
  • OSA was found to influence retinal vascular density, with improvements noted post-treatment.
  • Reduced choroidal thickness was observed in cases of adenotonsillar hypertrophy associated with OSA.

Conclusions:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea significantly impacts children's ocular health, causing structural changes in the optic nerve, choroid, retina, and cornea.
  • While direct optic nerve correlation is not always clear, OSA can increase intraocular pressure.
  • Treatment for pediatric OSA shows promise for ocular health, necessitating regular monitoring.

Keywords:
childrenchoroidcorneaobstructive sleep apneaocular healthophthalmologyretinasleep-disordered breathing

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