Visual dysfunctions and ocular disorders in children with developmental delay. II. Aspects of refractive errors, strabismus and contrast sensitivity

Abstract

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of refractive errors, strabismus and reduced contrast sensitivity in an unselected group of children with developmental delay (DD), and to propose extensions to the existing guidelines to assess the number of examinations required to optimally support children with DD. Methods: A total of 923 children with IQ £ 80, aged 4-15 years, from Copenhagen County, Denmark, were ophthalmically examined. The prevalence of refractive errors and strabismus and the presence of reduced contrast sensitivity were recorded and related to level of IQ. Results: Among the 923 children, the following prevalences were found: significant hyperopia ( ‡ + 3 D) 15.3%; myopia (< ) 0.5 D) 10.8%, and astigmatism (< ) 1 cyl D) 20.6%. Strabismus was found in 26.8% of subjects (esotropia in 14.9%, exotropia in 10.3%, and other forms, including mixed types, in 1.6%). Refractive errors and strabismus were significantly correlated with low IQ. Reduced contrast sensitivity was correlated with age, visual acuity and level of IQ. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study is the largest on ocular disorders in children with DD. Hyperopia, astigmatism, anisometropia, strabismus and contrast sensitivity had a high prevalence, and all disorders were related to low IQ. According to the extended guidelines, an annual minimum of 565 examinations per 100 000 children (0-17 years) is required to optimally support children with DD.

Psychopathology: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Other Conditions Present in Early Childhood

“…Neurological disorders have also been reported as co-occurring symptoms in children with ID. In particular, there is a 20-28 % prevalence risk of comorbid epilepsy in children with ID (Jelliffe-Pawlowski et al 2003;Morgan et al 2003;Nielsen et al 2007b;Oguni 2013). Various studies also suggested 16-56 % prevalence rate of comorbid cerebral palsy among children with ID (Jauhari et al 2012;Nielsen et al 2007b;Zhang and Ji 2005).…”

“…In particular, there is a 20-28 % prevalence risk of comorbid epilepsy in children with ID (Jelliffe-Pawlowski et al 2003;Morgan et al 2003;Nielsen et al 2007b;Oguni 2013). Various studies also suggested 16-56 % prevalence rate of comorbid cerebral palsy among children with ID (Jauhari et al 2012;Nielsen et al 2007b;Zhang and Ji 2005). Visual (2-27 %) and hearing problems (4-17 %) were also noted and are prevalent with children who have moderate to severe ID (Jauhari et al 2012;Nielsen et al 2007a;Nielsen et al 2007b).…”

“…Various studies also suggested 16-56 % prevalence rate of comorbid cerebral palsy among children with ID (Jauhari et al 2012;Nielsen et al 2007b;Zhang and Ji 2005). Visual (2-27 %) and hearing problems (4-17 %) were also noted and are prevalent with children who have moderate to severe ID (Jauhari et al 2012;Nielsen et al 2007a;Nielsen et al 2007b). Lastly, children with ID present with a likelihood of having other comorbid physical health conditions such as gastrointestinal problems (7 %), malformations such as Down syndrome (2-7 %), and other congenital nervous system malformations (3-8 %) (Christianson et al 2002;Dekker and Koot 2003;Petterson et al 2007;Schrojenstein Lantman-de Valk et al 1997;Zhang and Ji 2005).…”

Exotropia in children with high hyperopia

“…According toAtkinson and Braddick, 3 the incidence of hyperopia of at least 3.50 D in the general population is only 5% between the age of 6-9 months, with the incidence decreasing on follow-up. Nielsen and colleagues 4 showed a higher incidence of high levels of hyperopia in children with developmental delay, with >3 D spherical equivalent in 15.3% of children with developmental delay and an even greater incidence of 21.8% in children with IQs <50. The higher prevalence of developmental delay in our patient series may be due in part to the fact that our study population is from a tertiary care center.…”

Prevalence of Ocular Disorders in Learning Disabled Children and Their Functional Visual Performance Before and After Providing Spectacle Correction

“…Out of 254 children, 178 were cooperative for color vision testing. 13 of these (7.3%) were found to be defective in color vision with Ishihara chart. 76 children were un cooperative and were not able to perform color vision test.…”