Ophthalmic changes in hydrocephalus

Abstract

Fifty children shunted for hydrocephalus aged 5-17 years underwent a later ophthalmological examination. Corrected vision of 0.9 or less was found in 45 out of 93 eyes; in 21 patients this was the vision of both eyes. Corrected vision 0.3 or less was found in 7 eyes; in 3 patients this was the vision of both eyes. Hyperopia greater than or equal to +2.0 D was found in 20%, myopia greater than or equal to -0.5 D in 13% and astigmatism greater than or equal to 1.0 D in 25.5% of 98 eyes. Clear nystagmus was present in 18% of patients. Heterophoria was found in 20% and manifest horizontal strabismus in 33%, but no paretic squint. The optic disc was considered normal in 36 out of 100 eyes on ophthalmoscopy and in 35 out of 78 eyes on colour photography. Retinal nerve fibre layer photographs showed normal nerve fibres in 49 out of 71 eyes. The Friedmann field was in the normal range in 33 out of 53 eyes, and the Goldmann field was normal in 37 out of 44 eyes. Right homonymous hemianopia was discovered in 2 patients. The Harrington-Flocks field was normal in 17 out of 24 eyes, and 1 patient had left homonymous hemianopia. The HRR test showed a red-green disturbance in 22 out of 71 eyes. The Farnsworth panel D-15 desaturated test was entirely normal in only 4 out of 65 eyes, but the errors were only slight in 48 cases.