Retinal features in children with Down’s syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the optic disk and the properties of retinal vessel in children with Down’s syndrome (DS) compared with controls. Methods: Children with DS (n = 46) and control children (n = 50) from the patients attending the university clinic were recruited for this study. Fundus photographs were taken with the Topcon TRC-NW6S camera. Planimetric evaluation of the disk by a computer-assisted method was performed by an experienced observer masked to the subject group. The arteries and veins crossing the disk and extending at least 4 mm away from the disk were counted and measured. The presence of peripapillary atrophy (PPA) was assessed. Results: Larger mean disk size (2.40 ± 0.52 versus 2.10 ± 0.43 mm2), greater rim size (1.69 ± 0.51 versus 1.47 ± 0.37 mm2) and more retinal vessels beyond the disk (20 versus 16) were found in the DS group than those of controls (p < 0.001). A higher prevalence of PPA in children with DS was noted. No significant correlation was found between the total number of vessels and refraction, or visual acuity among children with DS. Conclusions: Children with DS have larger discs, greater rim size, and more retinal vessels beyond the disk than controls. These observations provide information concerning the physiological and anatomical variations of children with DS.