Down Syndrome
Characteristic appearance of the eyes: Wide-set eyes (hypertelorism) with significant Epicanthal Folds which may give the appearance of eyes being “turned in”.
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Incidence
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85-90% |
Iris Changes: Peripheral thinning and "Brushfield Spots"
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80% |
Cataracts: appear during the first decade and may be progressive, however, usually they do not significantly impair vision.
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50% |
Nearsighted: can see close but not far away Farsighted: must work to see at distance but harder at near. Astigmatism: distorted vision at all distances. |
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33% |
Strabismus: turned or wandering eye–usually turned IN. |
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6% |
Keratoconus: thinning cone-shaped corneal degeneration which causes distorted vision. |
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Higher Incidence of: |
Nystagmus: repetitive, rapid, involuntary eye movements. Blepharitis: infection of the eyelids. Ectropion: eyelid margin turned out. Anisometropia: difference in correction between the two eyes (makes it difficult to use them together as a team). Amblyopia: where normal eye does not develop normal vision mostly due to lack of use (unequal correction, strabismus, etc.) Oculomotor Dysfunction: difficulty controlling and coordinating eye movements. Accommodative Anomalies: difficulty focusing. |