Refractive errors and strabismus in children with Ddown syndrome: a controlled study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of refractive errors, strabismus, nystagmus, and congenital cataract in children with Down syndrome and control subjects of similar age.

METHODS

Seventy-seven children with Down syndrome and 151 control subjects were evaluated for the prevalence of ocular findings.

RESULTS

Ocular findings were discovered in 97.4% of children with Down syndrome and 42.4% of control subjects (P < .0001). The point prevalence of nystagmus, strabismus, hypermetropia, astigmatism, and congenital cataract was significantly higher in children with Down syndrome (P < .0001 for the first four categories, and P < .01 for congenital cataract).

CONCLUSION

Evaluation, treatment, and regular review of ocular and refractive findings in children with Down syndrome is urgently needed.