Visual characteristics of children with Down syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze long-term visual development in children with Down syndrome who received early ophthalmological intervention.


METHODS
A total of 125 children with Down syndrome who were examined before 6 years of age and followed up for more than 5 years were selected. Visual development, refraction, visual acuity testing, and the prescription of spectacles were examined retrospectively.


RESULTS
Mean visual acuity by age was as follows: 2 years, 1.13 ± 0.23 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR); 5 years, 0.55 ± 0.25 logMAR; 8 years, 0.27 ± 0.19 logMAR; 11 years, 0.17 ± 0.16 logMAR; and 14 years, 0.10 ± 0.15 logMAR. In 32 children (25.6%), visual acuity reached 0.0 logMAR or better. Hyperopia of +2D or more was observed in 132 eyes (52.8%), and astigmatism of 2D or more was observed in 153 eyes (61.2%). Subjective testing was difficult in many children prior to 4.5 years of age, and grating acuity testing was necessary. Spectacles were prescribed at a mean age of 3.5 ± 1.6 years in 120 children (96.0%). The average duration until the spectacles were worn constantly was 9.0 ± 9.3 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Early ophthalmological intervention and longitudinal care is important for children with Down syndrome.
Heiwa Eye Clinic, 1-7-7 Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-0014, Japan. kaorut@t.toshima.ne.jp.
Kaoru
K
Tomita
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*
Down syndrome; Grating acuity; Refraction; Spectacles; Visual development