title: Visual field loss in children with craniosynostosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify visual field deficits in a group of children with syndromic craniosynostosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Kinetic visual field examination and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were recorded in 16 children with syndromic craniosynostosis as part of their ophthalmic evaluation. VEPs were analyzed for inter-hemispheric asymmetries and component amplitude and latency, while visual fields were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All children with craniosynostosis were found to have visual field deficits compared to controls. In the Crouzon group, deficits tended to involve the nasal field, while infero-nasal field deficits were the most consistent finding in children with Apert syndrome. Children with Pfeiffer's demonstrated the greatest deficits, with severe constrictions affecting the whole visual field. VEPs were asymmetrical in four cases while the P100 component was subnormal in ten of the 16 patients for either amplitude and/or latency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although we may speculate about the mechanisms that cause visual field deficits, we currently are unable to explain the reason for the differing types and extent of visual field loss in the different syndromic groups. We can conclude that the visual field deficits do indicate previous or ongoing visual dysfunction that cannot be monitored employing central vision tests alone.
authors.affiliation: The Clinical and Academic Department of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond St Hospital for Children, London, UK.
authors.forename: Alki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liasis
authors.forename: Bronwen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Walters
authors.forename: Dorothy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hayward
authors.forename: Ken K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Nischal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014794:Visual Fields