Can Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis be Associated with Visual Impairment?

It is believed that postural balance problems may contribute to the development of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Vision provides proprioceptive input by supplying information about body positions. Considering the fundamental role of vision in postural control, this study aims to investigate the relationship between AIS and the volume of the eye-moving muscles and the visual field.

This prospective cross-sectional study included a total of 47 female individuals, with 24 having AIS and 23 being healthy participants. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to calculate the volumes of the medial rectus (MR) and lateral rectus (LR) muscles in both groups. Additionally, the visual field test was conducted to determine the pattern standard deviation (PSD) and mean deviation (MD) values for the left and right eyes of individuals in both groups.

The mean age of AIS patients with a major curvature of 48.50 degrees and a Lenke Type-1 curve was similar to that of asymptomatic individuals. The volume values of the MR muscle on both sides were lower in the AIS group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Significant differences were found in the PSD values of the visual field test within the AIS group (p<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the MD values between the left and right eyes of the two groups (p>0.05).

It is important to consider the presence of visual sensory defects in individuals with AIS. It is unknown whether AIS causes visual impairment or vice versa. Therefore, further comprehensive studies are needed.