People with Down’s Syndrome are more likely to experience eye problems than the general population, and 50 percent of people with Down’s Syndrome have some type of eye disease.
There are many ways to treat the eye issues commonly seen in people with Down’s Syndrome. Depending on the problem, treatment may include prescription glasses, proper eye hygiene, or surgery.
Since people with Down’s Syndrome are at an increased risk for eye problems, it is important to get vision checked early and often.
Are Eye Issues Common in People With Down’s Syndrome?
According to the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), over half of people with Down’s Syndrome are diagnosed with some form of eye disease. Down’s Syndrome impacts the developing eye, which in turn affects proper development of vision.
Variations in the eyes of people with down syndrome may explain some of their susceptibility to eye disease. These characteristics include:
- Noticeable folds of skin between the eyes and nose.
- Upward slanting of the eyelids.
- Tiny white spots of the iris (Brushfield’s spots).
