E C Campos1, M Fresina, E Bendo, S Belli, P Versura. 1. Abteilung für Augenheilkunde, Universität zu Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. emilio.campos@unibo.it
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Data on refraction of patients with congenital nystagmus are not available in the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have analysed the refractive errors in a cohort of 224 consecutive patients with congenital nystagmus, aged 1-57 years. RESULTS: Refractive errors, i. e., myopia, hyperopia (> 0.50 dioptres) and astigmatism (> 1.25 dioptres), were found in 179 patients (79.91 %). Of them 8 were myopic (4.46 %), 19 were hyperopic (10.61 %) and 152 were astigmatic (84.91 %). Mean astigmatism was of 2.44 dioptres for right eyes and 2.74 dioptres for left eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Astigmatism is extremely common in congenital nystagmus. Its presence is much higher than that found in normal populations. The amount of astigmatism found in nystagmus patients is noticeable. When considering he visual difficulties of patients with nystagmus, the astigmatic component should be taken in greatest consideration. Its presence should favour early surgery for anomalous head posture. Furthermore, refractive surgery should be considered as early as possible, for improving visual potential.
BACKGROUND: Data on refraction of patients with congenital nystagmus are not available in the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have analysed the refractive errors in a cohort of 224 consecutive patients with congenital nystagmus, aged 1-57 years. RESULTS: Refractive errors, i. e., myopia, hyperopia (> 0.50 dioptres) and astigmatism (> 1.25 dioptres), were found in 179 patients (79.91 %). Of them 8 were myopic (4.46 %), 19 were hyperopic (10.61 %) and 152 were astigmatic (84.91 %). Mean astigmatism was of 2.44 dioptres for right eyes and 2.74 dioptres for left eyes. CONCLUSIONS:Astigmatism is extremely common in congenital nystagmus. Its presence is much higher than that found in normal populations. The amount of astigmatism found in nystagmuspatients is noticeable. When considering he visual difficulties of patients with nystagmus, the astigmatic component should be taken in greatest consideration. Its presence should favour early surgery for anomalous head posture. Furthermore, refractive surgery should be considered as early as possible, for improving visual potential.