Common Vision Conditions Associated with Developmental Disabilities | National Developmental Disabilities Month

Although any child can develop eye problems, children with developmental disabilities have an increased risk. Visual problems can create additional challenges for children with developmental issues. March is National Developmental Disabilities Month. It is a good time to bring attention to eye problems in children with developmental issues. 

Prevalence of eye problems in children with developmental disabilities

According to research in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, children with developmental disabilities have a 10 percent chance of developing visual impairment. Having any type of learning or developmental disability increases a child’s chance of visual problems, but children with certain conditions are particularly at risk. Consider the following conditions and associated risks: 

Down Syndrome 

Having Down syndrome puts a child at an increased risk of strabismus (mis-alignment of the eyes when looking at an object) and nystagmus (repetitive, uncontrolled movements of the eyes). Additional eye issues in children with Down syndrome include blocked tear ducts and irregularly shaped corneas.

According to the National Down Syndrome Society, children with Down syndrome are more likely to develop cataracts at a young age than the general population.  
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Autism

Children with autism may have certain behaviors, such as staring at spinning objects, difficulty making eye contact, and unusual head positions. Not all behaviors are related to an issue with the eyes, but in some cases, an eye condition may be contributing to visual behaviors.

Eye issues should be ruled out. A study in Strabismus involving children with autism found that 40 percent of the kids had strabismus, which is also called crossed eyes. Children with autism also had a higher risk of a lazy eye compared to children without autism. 
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Cerebral Palsy

Visual impairments are very common in children born with cerebral palsy (CP). The most common impairments are cataracts, refractive issues, and strabismus. Some children with CP also are nearsighted or farsighted more often than the general population. There tends to be a higher incidence of vision problems in children the more severe their motor impairment. 

Treating vision problems  

There are several ways to cope with vision issues. Treatments may range from something as simple as corrective lenses to more aggressive approaches.

The exact treatment depends on the type of problem. Possible treatments include:

• Glasses
• Eye patches
• Surgery
• Low vision devices

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​Maintaining healthy vision 

Good vision plays a role in learning and behavior. It is vital to maintain the best vision possible in all children, but children with developmental disabilities have additional challenges, which makes healthy vision even more essential. Below are suggestions to help maintain good eye health in children with developmental disabilities.

Have regular eye exams: Having regular eye exams is one of the best ways to maintain healthy vision for children with developmental disabilities. An eye doctor can diagnose eye conditions before they become severe. Talk with your child’s doctor to determine the frequency of eye exams.

Watch for signs of a vision problem: In some cases, your child may be able to tell you if they are having trouble with their vision, but in other instances, your child may be too young or not recognize the problem at first. There are signs to watch for that may suggest your child is having a vision problem. Watch for the following:

• Squinting
• Frequently rubbing the eyes
• Crossed eyes
• Often tilting the head to one side
• Headaches
• Holding books and other objects very close
• Light sensitivity

Consider the best type of frames for your child’s glasses: Eyeglasses are often a treatment option for children’s vision problems, but not all glasses are the same. Depending on your child’s developmental disability, typical glasses may not be appropriate. For instance, often children with Down syndrome have unique facial features that may make traditional frames uncomfortable. There are a variety of frames to choose from that may be a better option.

If you have any questions about eye issues or keeping your child’s eyes healthy, we are happy to help. Also, if you would like to ask about whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600. 
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