Ophthalmologic abnormalities in mentally retarded.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and types of ophthalmologic abnormalities in mentally retarded subjects.


METHODS
Seventy-three institutionalized mentally retarded subjects (41 boys and 32 girls) aged 5 to 19 years (mean: 11.5 years) were examined ophthalmologically during a three month period (from May to July 1999). The eye examination consisted of visual acuity testing (illiterate Snellen E-chart or acuity card procedures), pupillary reflex and motility evaluation, cover test for phoria and tropia, examination of adnexa and anterior segment (magnifying glass or slit-lamp biomicroscopy if indicated and possible), retinoscopy and direct ophthalmoscopy. All subjects were evaluated pediatrically, neurologically, psychologically and otorhinolaryngologically if indicated.


RESULTS
Ophthalmologic abnormalities were found in 60.2% of the subjects. Eyelid abnormalities accounted for 21.7%, fundus abnormalities for 21.6%, refractive errors for 15% and ocular motility disorders for 13.6%. Taken separately, optic atrophy (16.4%) was the most frequent disorder, followed by refractive errors (15%), hypertelorism (12.3%), epicanthus (10.9%) and nystagmus (8.2%). Strabismus and mongoloid obliquity of lids were seen in 5.4% each other while ptosis was disclosed in 4.2% of cases. Visual acuity tested in 60 subjects revealed that 25 (41.6%) had visual impairment. Of all subjects 10.9% required corrective glasses while 9.6% needed corrective surgery for strabismus and ptosis.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows a high prevalence of ophthalmologic abnormalities in mentally retarded subjects. This is in agreement with the results of several other previous studies. It's therefore essential to screen mentally disabled subjects ophthalmologically.
Mwanza
J C
JC
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Kinshasa, P.O. Box 123, Kinshasa 11, Dem. Rep. of Congo. jcmwanza@hotmail.com
Nkidiaka
C M
CM
Kayembe
D L
DL
Maillet
C Y
CY
Mukau
E J
EJ
Tuela
M R
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003223:Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence