Abstract
Background Intraocular surgery in patients with intellectual disability can be hazardous. Our aim was to determine the outcomes of surgery on all such patients seen in a consultant‐led service, and to assess the overall risks and benefits.Materials and Methods A retrospective chart review of patients with moderate to severe intellectual disability, operated upon over a 9‐year period was undertaken. Thirty‐four eyes of 21 patients were operated upon and procedures included four penetrating keratoplasties, five combined penetrating keratoplasties with cataract extractions, and 25 cataract extractions alone.Results Most patients achieved a beneficial outcome, noted by their carers, such as better mobility and social interaction. Three patients had major post‐operative complications, all associated with corneal grafts. Only seven patients were, within the context of conventional busy outpatient clinics, deemed capable of co‐operating with a formal visual acuity assessment either pre‐ or post‐operatively.Conclusions Cataract and corneal graft surgery in individuals with intellectual disability is beneficial, and referral to an ophthalmologist should be considered as intellectual disability need not necessarily be a contraindication for surgery. The authors recommend that these patients should be assessed in a dedicated ophthalmology clinic setting for the intellectually disabled, where there should be better facilities for appropriate visual assessment tailored to the patients’ abilities.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.