Purpose: To identify the ocular disorders in mentally challenged children attending a special school.
Methods: A total of 100 mentally challenged children in the age group of 3-16 years attending special school in a district
of South India were examined. Complete ocular examination was done. Ocular problems were identied and categorized into development
related, hygiene related and IQ related problems.
Results: Seventy children (70%) had ocular problems. Refractive error and strabismus were the common ocular problems seen in this study.
Ocular manifestations like nystagmus, congenital ptosis, anti mongoloid slant, wide telecanthus with epicanthus, chalazia, stye, blepharitis,
congenital NLD obstruction, conjunctivitis, xerosis, microcornea, corneal opacities, congenital cataracts, optic atrophy, retinitis pigmentosa
were seen. An association was found between the severity of mental retardation and ocular problems (P<0.005).
Conclusion: A high prevalence of ocular problems was seen in mentally retarded school children. These children should undergo annual
ophthalmic evaluation. Visual function of the children should be assessed as soon as the child is admitted to the school. Earlier assessment and
correction of the visual problems will have greater chance of achieving potential and will prevent visual impairment.
Aim of the study: To identify the ocular disorders in mentally challenged children attending National Institute of Mental Health, a special school
for such children.
High Prevalence and Heterogeneity of Diabetes in Patients With TB in South India
