The ophthalmic anomalies in children with Down syndrome in Split-Dalmatian County

Our aim was to present the ophthalmic anomalies in patients with Down syndrome in Split-Dalmatia County born from 1992 until 2009 year. It was a cross-sectional study. 153 children with Down syndrome aged 0-18 years from the Split-Dalmatia County were examined. One hundred twelve participants were borne in Split, 13 in Vrgorac,16 in Makarska, 12 in Sinj. All enrolled children underwent a complete ophthalmological examination (anterior segment, ocular motility, refractive status, fundus, measuring intraocular pressure (IOP). Of 89.5% percent of responders with refractive errors, 48.1% had myopia, 35.0% had hypermetropia, astygamtism in 16.7%, 28.7% strabismus, nystagmus (8.4%), cataracts (1.3%), glaucoma (1.9%), supernumerary optic disc vessels (24.1%) and keratoconus (1.3%).

CONCLUSION

In patients with Down syndrome the prevalence of refractive errors (myopia prevalence), as well as other ophthalmological diseases was determined.

[Changes in visual evoked potentials curve parameters in children with amblyopia]

AIM

The aim of the study was to correlate visual evoked potential (VEP) parameters (amplitude and latency) with visual acuity of the amblyopic eye.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 30 children aged 4.5-6 years, tested for visual acuity before refractive correction, with correction, and after pleoptic therapy. In addition, VEP parameters were recorded according to changes in visual acuity.

RESULTS

VEP curves were found to change with visual acuity of the amblyopic eye. A statistically significant correlation was obtained between amplitude values and visual acuity as well as between latency values and visual acuity (P<0.001 both).

DISCUSSION

Some authors have reported differences in VEP curve parameters according to visual acuity. We performed VEP assessment in children with anisometropic amblyopia and found statistically significant differences among the values obtained before refractive correction, with refractive correction and after pleoptic treatment of amblyopic eye. VEP curve values changed with improvement in visual acuity: the P100 wave amplitude was higher and latency shorter.

CONCLUSION

VEP may be a valid method to determine amblyopia.