[Astigmatism in ocular neuromuscular nystagmus].
BACKGROUND
Data on refraction of patients with congenital nystagmus are not available in the literature.


METHODS
We have analysed the refractive errors in a cohort of 224 consecutive patients with congenital nystagmus, aged 1-57 years.


RESULTS
Refractive errors, i. e., myopia, hyperopia (> 0.50 dioptres) and astigmatism (> 1.25 dioptres), were found in 179 patients (79.91 %). Of them 8 were myopic (4.46 %), 19 were hyperopic (10.61 %) and 152 were astigmatic (84.91 %). Mean astigmatism was of 2.44 dioptres for right eyes and 2.74 dioptres for left eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
Astigmatism is extremely common in congenital nystagmus. Its presence is much higher than that found in normal populations. The amount of astigmatism found in nystagmus patients is noticeable. When considering he visual difficulties of patients with nystagmus, the astigmatic component should be taken in greatest consideration. Its presence should favour early surgery for anomalous head posture. Furthermore, refractive surgery should be considered as early as possible, for improving visual potential.
Campos
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Abteilung für Augenheilkunde, Universität zu Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. emilio.campos@unibo.it
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020417:Nystagmus, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors