• Cancers
    • Colorectal Cancer
    • Lymphoma
    • Penile Cancer
    • Uterine Cancer
    • Breast Cancer
    • Stomach Cancer
    • Bone Cancer
    • Cervical Cancer
    • Brain Cancer
    • Leukemia (Blood Cells Cancer)
    • Endometrial Cancer
    • Neuroblastoma
    • Kidney Cancer
  • Brain
    • Stroke
    • Dyslexia
    • Down Syndrome
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Alcoholism
    • Autism
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Schizophrenia
    • Insomnia
    • Alzheimer’s Disease
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Migraine
    • Phobia
  • Heart
    • Hypertension
    • Endocarditis
    • Coronary Heart Disease
    • Myocardial Infarction
    • Arrhythmia
    • Angina
    • Enlarged heart
    • Pericarditis
    • Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease
    • Ventricular Septal Defect
    • Hypotension
  • Urinary Health
    • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Diabetic Nephropathy
    • Urinary Tract Infection
    • Prostatitis
    • Urinary Incontinence
    • Enlarged Prostate
    • Blood in Urine
    • Kidney Stones
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Cystitis
  • Eye
    • Myopia
    • Glaucoma
    • Dry Eyes
    • Conjunctivitis
    • Cataracts
    • Color Blindness
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Keratoconus
  • Skin
    • Shingles
    • Rosacea
    • Eczema
    • Vitiligo
    • Psoriasis
    • Scabies
    • Acne
    • Dandruff
  • Women Health
    • Uterine Fibroids
    • Pregnancy
    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    • Vaginitis
    • Endometriosis
    • Preeclampsia
    • Menstruation
    • Ovarian Cyst
    • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • Digestive Health
    • Celiac Disease
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Achalasia
    • Diarrhea
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
    • Diverticulitis
    • Liver Cirrhosis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Constipation
    • Appendicitis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Gallstones
    • Crohn’s Disease
  • Bone Health
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Cyst
    • Osteomyelitis
    • Sciatica
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Calcium Deficiency
    • Gout
    • Rickets in Children
    • Spinal Stenosis
  • Dental
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Dental Caries
    • Bad Breath
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Dry Mouth
    • Supernumerary Teeth
    • Bruxism
    • Tooth Loss
    • Impacted Tooth
  • More
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Rhinitis
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    • Thalassemia
    • Hepatitis
    • Sinusitis
    • Acromegaly
    • Health and Wellness
    • Achondroplasia
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Asthma
    • Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Tuberculosis

Write For Us

What's Hot

How Big Are Kidney Stones?

February 3, 2021
Dyslexia

What Do Words Look Like to a Dyslexic Person?

February 3, 2021
Gallstones without a gallbladder image

Can you Get Gallstones without a Gallbladder?

July 12, 2022
Facebook Twitter YouTube
DiseaseFix – World's Largest Disease Information Center
  • Write For Us
Facebook Twitter YouTube
  • Cancers
    • Colorectal Cancer
    • Lymphoma
    • Penile Cancer
    • Uterine Cancer
    • Breast Cancer
    • Stomach Cancer
    • Bone Cancer
    • Cervical Cancer
    • Brain Cancer
    • Leukemia (Blood Cells Cancer)
    • Endometrial Cancer
    • Neuroblastoma
    • Kidney Cancer
  • Brain
    • Stroke
    • Dyslexia
    • Down Syndrome
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Alcoholism
    • Autism
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Schizophrenia
    • Insomnia
    • Alzheimer’s Disease
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Migraine
    • Phobia
  • Heart
    • Hypertension
    • Endocarditis
    • Coronary Heart Disease
    • Myocardial Infarction
    • Arrhythmia
    • Angina
    • Enlarged heart
    • Pericarditis
    • Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease
    • Ventricular Septal Defect
    • Hypotension
  • Urinary Health
    • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Diabetic Nephropathy
    • Urinary Tract Infection
    • Prostatitis
    • Urinary Incontinence
    • Enlarged Prostate
    • Blood in Urine
    • Kidney Stones
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Cystitis
  • Eye
    • Myopia
    • Glaucoma
    • Dry Eyes
    • Conjunctivitis
    • Cataracts
    • Color Blindness
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Keratoconus
  • Skin
    • Shingles
    • Rosacea
    • Eczema
    • Vitiligo
    • Psoriasis
    • Scabies
    • Acne
    • Dandruff
  • Women Health
    • Uterine Fibroids
    • Pregnancy
    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    • Vaginitis
    • Endometriosis
    • Preeclampsia
    • Menstruation
    • Ovarian Cyst
    • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • Digestive Health
    • Celiac Disease
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Achalasia
    • Diarrhea
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
    • Diverticulitis
    • Liver Cirrhosis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Constipation
    • Appendicitis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Gallstones
    • Crohn’s Disease
  • Bone Health
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Cyst
    • Osteomyelitis
    • Sciatica
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Calcium Deficiency
    • Gout
    • Rickets in Children
    • Spinal Stenosis
  • Dental
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Dental Caries
    • Bad Breath
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Dry Mouth
    • Supernumerary Teeth
    • Bruxism
    • Tooth Loss
    • Impacted Tooth
  • More
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Rhinitis
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    • Thalassemia
    • Hepatitis
    • Sinusitis
    • Acromegaly
    • Health and Wellness
    • Achondroplasia
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Asthma
    • Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Tuberculosis
DiseaseFix – World's Largest Disease Information Center
Home » Rare Diseases » Down Syndrome » Down Syndrome Eyes

Down Syndrome Eyes

Saima Andrabi, MS, Clinical BiochemistryBy Saima Andrabi, MS, Clinical Biochemistry5 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
Contents Hide
1 Eyes in Down Syndrome
2 Down syndrome eye problems
3 Other Eye problems in Down syndrome
4 Signs and symptoms of eye problems in Down syndrome
5 Management of eye problems in Down syndrome

Eyes in Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is associated with many physical disabilities and among such disabilities eye problems are most common ranging from mild to severe issues. It has been reported that almost half of the patients with Down syndrome have mild to severe eye diseases. Mild eye diseases may include abnormalities in tear duct while severe complications can include early age cataracts. Down syndrome may result in improper development of the vision as it can severely effect a developing eye. Some of the basic characteristics of eyes in people with Down syndrome are:

  • Brushfield’s spots, tiny spots on the colored part (iris) of eyes. These spots are however harmless and can even be found in people without Down syndrome.
  • Eyelids are upwardly slanted.
  • The skin between the eyes and nose has some types of prominent folds.

Down syndrome eye problems

Eye problems in Down syndrome can be mild or severe.

Mild eye problems in Down syndrome patients

Following are some of the mild eye problems found in Down syndrome patients:

Down Syndrome Abortion

Tear duct abnormalities

Many children with Down syndrome have abnormalities in their tear ducts characterized by tearing and discharge from the eyes. These tear abnormalities usually get worsened by colds.

Massage over the tear sac region (space between the eye and nose) ideally 2 to 3 times in a day can open the tear duct.

Surgical procedure can be recommended if the problem persists beyond a year of age.

Strabismus(eye misalignment)

Strabismus is more common in Down syndrome. The eyes do not line up well and appear as if they are crossing, although they are not. Strabismus should be diagnosed as early as possible in a child, otherwise it may result in amblyopia or lazy eye i.e. loss of vision. Loss of Stereopsis (perception in depth or use of both eyes together) can also occur if strabismus is not diagnosed early.

Ideally, glasses can be used to straighten the eyes with strabismus but sometimes strabismus surgery (surgery of eye muscles) is also required.

Down syndrome strabismus requires more than one surgery for proper alignment of the eyes when compared with strabismus in general population.

Keratoconus

This is a condition in which the cornea of eye grows into a cone shape leading to distorted vision. Keratoconus is more common in young people with Down syndrome and almost 10% of young people with Down syndrome are affected with it. However, it can occur in general population also. This condition cannot be corrected by using spectacles, instead it can be managed by using contact lenses. If left untreated, keratoconus can cause the cornea to become fragile and thin and ultimately leading to the formation of a scar tissue which further reduces the vision.

Sight loss caused by keratoconus can be treated by using a method called cross-linkage therapy. In cross-linkage therapy, few drops are put onto the cornea and then UV light is used which activates these drops and seals the corneal tissue and stops it from getting distorted. It is a successful treatment option provided the disease is diagnosed early. The cornea is generally thin in young people with Down syndrome, so the keratoconus in such people should be diagnosed as early as possible because the treatment should be started before the cornea thins too much.

Severe eye problems

One of the severe eye problem found in Down syndrome is congenital cataract where the lens of the eye lacks clearness. Cataract present early in a child’s eye is a severe form of amblyopia, also known as deprivational amblyopia in which the brain does not receive a clear image and never learns to see.

If cataracts are present very early in the age of a child and are not removed, it can result in a lifelong poor vision and even if the cataract is removed later when the child is an adult, the vision can never improve much. This is the reason that makes early detection of cataract in infants very important.

An early eye examination in patients with Down syndrome can help in avoiding eye vision loss caused by cataract.

Other Eye problems in Down syndrome

Some other common eye problems associated with Down syndrome are:

Glaucoma

A patient feels excess pressure in the eyes if he or she has glaucoma.

Nystagmus

The eyes of a patient move uncontrollably usually from side to side.

Short-sightedness

These patients cannot see the far away objects clearly. It is also called myopia.

Long-sightedness

The nearby objects appear blurred to a patient.

Accommodation

Most of the children with Down syndrome are visually impaired at near distances which is one of the difficulties in early learning and literacy in such children. Bifocals have been found to be useful in such children and help them in using their own accommodative ability. Bifocals have improved the accommodative ability in almost 65% of Down syndrome children and 53% of children have returned to single vision lenses after the improvement.

Signs and symptoms of eye problems in Down syndrome

It is difficult to detect eye problems in children with Down syndrome because either they don’t notice the problem or they don’t communicate about the problem in a proper way. Here are some signs that can help parents and teachers in the detection of eye problems in such children:

  • Sensitivity to light
  • Crossing of either one or both eyes.
  • Squinting
  • Unusual tilting of head
  • Closing one eye shut
  • Drooping of eye lids (ptosis)
  • Blockage of tear ducts resulting in discharge and tearing

Management of eye problems in Down syndrome

Eye problems in Down syndrome can be somehow managed by following these steps:

  • New born babies should be evaluated for nystagmus, cataracts and strabismus within the first 6 months of life.
  • Children between the age group of 5 to 13 years should be evaluated biannually for the onset of new ophthalmic disorders.
  • Annual evaluation of newborns should be done for refractive error, strabismus and other amblyopia causing conditions until the age of 5.
Saima Andrabi, MS, Clinical Biochemistry
  • LinkedIn

Saima Andrabi is a clinical biochemist and is passionate about driving knowledge platforms for creating health awareness in the general public. She pursued her master’s degree in clinical biochemistry from University of Kashmir, Srinagar followed by an internship from National Institute of pathology, New Delhi. Her areas of interest include molecular biology, immunology, medical physiology and forensic medicine. Saima is very much interested in writing medical content and wants to create awareness in public through this platform. Currently, Saima Andrabi is working at Maxinov Solutions Private LTD as a research associate and is associated with DiseaseFix as a medical content writer.

Follow-Up Reads

Is it Possible to Prevent Down Syndrome?

February 29, 2020

Genetics: Is Down Syndrome Hereditary?

September 25, 2019

Down Syndrome Abortion

March 6, 2019

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Best Practices for staying Healthy: Strategies & Tactics
doctor with mask Best Practices for staying Healthy

Treatment for COPD in the Elderly Explained

By Kapil Sharma5 Mins Read

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and debilitating condition that affects the lungs,…

Lemon Juice Glass

Top 10 Home Remedies to Pass a Kidney Stone in 24 Hours

February 20, 2023
Runny Nose

Spike in H3N2 Influenza Cases in Delhi-NCR

February 16, 2023
Newborn child

Healing From a Stillbirth or Infant Loss: A Guide for Parents

February 14, 2023
Latest Posts
Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats

Reasons Why Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats Are the Best Choice for Your Health and the Environment

May 30, 2023
Pollution Environment Drone Aerial View

5 Environmental Factors to Consider When Relocating

May 26, 2023
Health and Safety is Important in the Workplace

5 Reasons Why Health and Safety Is Important in the Workplace

May 26, 2023
Hair loss in children

Hair Loss in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

May 26, 2023
Woman with red lips smiling

6 Dental Procedures You Can Consider for a Great Smile

May 25, 2023
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
About Us
About Us

DiseaseFix is primarily known as an online publisher of disease-centric medical information related to human health and well-being. The information is published as disease modules accessible to users from across the world free of cost.

Email Us: contact@diseasefix.com

Our Picks
Breast Cancer

Moving Forward After Breast Cancer Surgery

December 30, 2022
Five Things Patients Experience Immediately After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Five Things Patients Experience Immediately After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

April 23, 2021

Real Life Experiences About Coping With Cancer

April 22, 2021
Company

Disease Index

About Us

Our Team

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Contact Us

Write For Us

 

Facebook Twitter YouTube
© 2023 Diseasefix. All rights reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.