Refractive and ocular motor status in autistic adults without learning disabilities: an exploratory study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Optometry

Background:

• Autistic adults report unique visual experiences impacting daily life.
• Some visual experiences overlap with refractive and ocular motor anomalies.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is increasingly recognized for visual processing differences.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate refractive and ocular motor status in autistic adults without intellectual disabilities.
• Assess pattern glare in this population.
• Explore the impact of treatment on visual experiences.

Main Methods:

• Eye examinations including refraction, ocular motor, and pattern glare assessments were conducted on 24 autistic adults.
• Treatment involved spectacles, orthoptic exercises, or tinted lenses based on identified anomalies.
• Participants completed vision-related questionnaires before and after treatment.

Main Results:

• High prevalence of refractive anomalies (83.3%), accommodative infacility (72.7%), and convergence insufficiency (37.5%) were observed.
• 25% of participants showed positive pattern glare.
• All participants required treatment, with spectacles being the most common intervention.

Conclusions:

• Autistic adults without intellectual disabilities may have a higher likelihood of refractive, ocular motor, and pattern glare issues.
• Appropriate management of refractive and ocular motor status may reduce pattern glare.
• Further research is needed to clarify the impact on visual sensory experiences and quality of life.