Down Syndrome is a disorder caused by a duplication of part or all of the 21st chromosome. The extra genetic material leads to physical and developmental issues in people who have the condition.
People who are diagnosed with Down Syndrome (DS) typically have a higher risk of vision issues which can affect the development of important visual skills.
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, over 60 percent of children with Down Syndrome have vision problems. They also tend to be in the higher range of astigmatism (both regarding far-sightedness and near-sightedness), and often require special lenses. But even with the assistance of corrective lenses, reduced visual skills in other areas can negatively impact the overall quality of their vision.
Due to the numerous ways in which Down Syndrome can impact the development of the eyes and visual skills,it is important for children with this condition to have regular comprehensive eye exams starting from when they are 6 months old.
Due to the fact that conducting eye exams on children with Down Syndrome can be more difficult, it is a good idea to choose an optometrist who has experience working with children who have down Syndrome or other developmental issues.
There are a wide range of vision issues which can affect people with Down Syndrome at higher rates than the general population. According to the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus, the most common visual condition associated with Down Syndrome is Strabismus affecting 20%-60% of people with Down Syndrome.
Other visual conditions include:
It can be a challenge to detect vision issues in people with Down Syndrome, largely because they are unlikely to complain about the issues or may not realize there is a problem. For this reason, it is important that parents and other caregivers pay attention to signs that may indicate a vision issue, and bring them up with a developmental optometrist. Due to the high prevalence of strabismus in this population it is highly recommended that all people with Down Syndrome schedule a developmental eye exam.
Symptoms to look out for include:
Following the developmental eye exam, our developmental eye doctor will formulate a personalized vision therapy treatment plan designed to address any vision issues detected. The treatment process includes exercises designed to help develop and improve vision skills, as well as the use of specialized vision devices. Additionally, if the patient has a severe enough astigmatism to also need corrective lenses, those can be provided.
Vision therapy works to enhance vision skills, which include:
We understand that it can be more difficult to work with a child who has Down Syndrome. Our staff has experience working with special needs children, so we can provide them with the best possible care.
Length of treatment varies on a case-by-case basis, depending on the patient’s vision issues. Treatment can run as little as a few weeks, or many months. Our doctor will be able to give you an estimate following the developmental vision exam.
Down Syndrome is a condition which impacts a child’s development in many ways, and people with Down Syndrome often suffer from vision issues which may be hard to detect, given the nature of the condition. Once the problems are detected, however, vision therapy is an effective method of treatment to improve their quality of life. If your child was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and is showing symptoms of a vision issue, contact us today to schedule a developmental eye exam.
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