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. 2018;11(4):251-265.
doi: 10.1080/19315864.2018.1497108. Epub 2018 Jul 24.

Refractive error and ocular findings among infants and young children with severe problem behavior and developmental disabilities

Theodor Sauer  1 , Linda Lawrence  2 , Liliana Mayo-Ortega  2 , Rosa Oyama-Ganiko  2 , Stephen Schroeder  3
Affiliations

Refractive error and ocular findings among infants and young children with severe problem behavior and developmental disabilities

Theodor Sauer et al. J Ment Health Res Intellect Disabil. 2018.

Abstract

The prevalence of refractive error and ocular disorders among infants and young children with severe behavioral problems and developmental disorders is not well defined, particularly in developing countries. We performed a retrospective review of ophthalmic examinations performed during a National Institutes of Health-funded cohort study of very young children in Peru with behavioral problems and at risk for developmental disorders. 222 children between the ages of 0 and 4 years (mean 2.2 ± 0.9 years) were examined and 100 (45.0%) had an abnormal ocular exam. Overall, the prevalence of refractive error was 33.3%, nystagmus was 12.2%, and strabismus was 10.9%. Among children with Down syndrome, refractive error ranged from 46.2% at age 2 to 85.7% at age 4. Refractive error and ocular disorders are highly prevalent even at a young age in children with behavioral problems and developmental disorders. Much of the visual impairment in this population is treatable; early identification and intervention can have a lifelong positive impact on neurodevelopment.

Keywords: Down syndrome; autism spectrum disorder; behavioral disorder; refractive error; vision impairment.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Visual Acuity (LEA GRATING Paddles) by Age, All Children
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
Prevalence and Form of Refractive Error Among All Children
Figure 3:
Figure 3:. Prevalence of Ocular Disorders Among All Children
Abbreviations: ONA (optic nerve atrophy), ONH (optic nerve hypoplasia), CVI (cerebral vision impairment).
Figure 4:
Figure 4:. Refractive Error and Ocular Disorders by Diagnosis
Abbreviation: ONA (optic nerve atrophy), ONH (optic nerve hypoplasia), CVI (cerebral vision impairment); There were no cases of exotropia, CVI, or ptosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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