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".

Incidence:
85-90% Iris Changes: Peripheral thinning and "Brushfield Spots"
80% Cataracts: appear during the first decade and may be progressive, however, usually they do not significantly impair vision.
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.
33% Strabismus: turned or wandering eye--usually turned IN.
6% Keratoconus: thinning cone-shaped corneal degeneration which causes distorted vision.
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.