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Ocular abnormalities in Down syndrome: an analysis of 140 Chinese children
1Division of Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
Insights
Ocular abnormalities are common in Chinese children with Down syndrome (DS), affecting 69%. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and preventing vision loss in children with DS.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Down syndrome (DS) is associated with various health issues, including ocular abnormalities.
- Understanding the prevalence and types of eye conditions in different ethnic groups with DS is important for targeted care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spectrum and incidence of ocular abnormalities in Chinese children with Down syndrome.
- To compare the ocular findings in Chinese children with DS to those reported in white children with DS.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of ophthalmologic evaluations for 140 Chinese children with DS.
- Evaluations included visual acuity, ocular motility, visual fields, strabismus assessment, and slit lamp/ophthalmoscopy.
Main Results:
- 69% of children had ocular abnormalities; only 31% were normal.
- Common findings included refractive error (58%), strabismus (20%), and nystagmus (11%).
- Refractive error incidence increased with age; Chinese children with DS had higher refractive error rates than white children with DS.
Conclusions:
- Ocular abnormalities are highly prevalent in Chinese children with Down syndrome.
- Regular visual surveillance, particularly for visual acuity, is essential to prevent amblyopia in this population.
- Ethnic variations in ocular conditions among children with DS warrant further investigation.
Abstract:
One hundred forty Chinese children with Down syndrome (DS) treated in the Child Assessment Centre of the Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital in Hong Kong between 1985 and 1996 underwent a detailed ophthalmologic evaluation, including test of visual acuity by behavioral testing or retinoscopy, determination of ocular motility, visual field examination, binocular examination for strabismus, determination of near point convergence and pupillary reflex, and/or slit lamp bimicroscopy and ophthalmoscopy to assess ocular health. Only 43 children (31%) had no ocular abnormalities. The overall incidence of ocular abnormalities was 69%, and included refractive error (58%), strabismus (20%), nystagmus (11%), blepharitis/conjunctivitis (7%), lens opacities (4%), and glaucoma (0.7%). No child had Brushfield spots or keratoconus. The incidence of refractive errors increased with increasing age and nearly doubled at school age. As compared with white children with DS, the Chinese children with DS exhibited a higher incidence of refractive error and a similar incidence of lens opacities but a lower incidence of strabismus, nystagmus, blepharitis, Brushfield spots, and keratoconus. Regular visual surveillance, especially of visual acuity, in children with DS as they mature is important in preventing amblyopia.