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Visual characteristics of children with Down syndrome

  • Clinical Investigation
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Abstract

Purpose

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.

Conclusion

Early ophthalmological intervention and longitudinal care is important for children with Down syndrome.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to express my gratitude to the entire staff at Heiwa Eye Clinic for their cooperation in conducting the ophthalmological tests and their constant encouragement. I would also like to express my appreciation to Dr. Yoji Takano and the International Medical Information Center for assistance with manuscript proofreading. I would like to thank Editage for English language editing.

Conflicts of interest

K Tomita, None.

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  1. Heiwa Eye Clinic, 1-7-7 Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-0014, Japan

    Kaoru Tomita

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Correspondence to Kaoru Tomita.

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Tomita, K. Visual characteristics of children with Down syndrome. Jpn J Ophthalmol 61, 271–279 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-017-0500-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-017-0500-6

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