The prevalence of strabismus in congenital nystagmus: the influence of anterior visual pathway disease.

PURPOSE: To determine the influence of underlying visual system disorders on the risk of developing strabismus in children with congenital nystagmus.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 82 cases of congenital nystagmus from a pediatric ophthalmology referral practice.

RESULTS

Strabismus was found in 50% of children with congenital nystagmus. The prevalence of strabismus was 82% in children with bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia, 53% in patients with albinism, 36% in children with congenital retinal dystrophies, and 17% in children with idiopathic congenital nystagmus.

CONCLUSION

The risk that a child with congenital nystagmus will have strabismus develop can be predicted from the nature of the underlying visual disorder.