[Children and adolescents with Down syndrome. Continuous ophthalmological monitoring crucial!].

Children with Down's syndrome are at increased risk of ocular manifestations, which is confirmed by a study in Uppsala, Sweden. Sixty percent of the children were wearing glasses and/or had other ocular problems. However, lapses were found in follow-up and referral to the eye clinic. Good visual function is an important prerequisite for optimal quality of life of children and adults with Down's syndrome. Since this group does not always spontaneously get in touch with the health care system including ophthalmologists, the infant must be referred by the pediatrician immediately after birth. The number of individuals with Down's syndrome in Sweden is large (3,500-5,000), and an ophthalmological follow-up program, as presented in this paper, is of key importance.