title: Unmet visual needs of children with Down syndrome in an African population: implications for visual and cognitive development.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the magnitude and types of ocular disorders in children with Down syndrome in an African population and to assess to what extent these visual needs have been met.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study of children with Down syndrome attending a school for the mentally challenged in Southeastern Nigeria. Visual acuity, ocular examination, and cycloplegic refraction were done on all cooperative participants. Information was sought from parents/caregivers to ascertain previous ocular treatment/spectacle usage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 30 children with Down syndrome aged 5-15 years were examined. Uncorrected refractive errors were detected in 76.4% of them. Other lesions included mongoloid slant (53.5%), strabismus (33.3%), ptosis (33.3%), nystagmus (13.3%), and cataract (3.3%). None of the children with refractive errors had ever worn spectacles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Refractive error is a common finding in this population. There is a high unmet visual need in these children. This may have implications for visual and cognitive development. Early screening for ocular disorders in Down syndrome is recommended to detect and treat them.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. ada.aghaji@unn.edu.ng
authors: Ada E
authors: AE
authors: Aghaji
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Lawrence
authors: Ifeoma
authors: I
authors: Ezegwui
authors: Ernest
authors: E
authors: Onwasigwe
authors: Onochie
authors: O
authors: Okoye
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Ebigbo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004519:Education, Special; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012042:Registries; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology