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Longitudinal study of spherical refractive error in infantile nystagmus syndrome
Author(s) -
Healey Natasha,
McClelland Julie F.,
Saunders Kathryn J.,
Jackson A. Jonathan
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
ophthalmic and physiological optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.147
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1475-1313
pISSN - 0275-5408
DOI - 10.1111/opo.12117
Subject(s) - albinism , nystagmus , meridian (astronomy) , medicine , refractive error , oculocutaneous albinism , ophthalmology , visual acuity , population , audiology , optometry , physics , paleontology , environmental health , astronomy , biology
Purpose To explore the onset and progression of spherical refractive error in a population with infantile nystagmus syndrome. Methods Retrospective refractive error data were obtained from 147 medical records of children with infantile nystagmus syndrome (albinism n = 98; idiopathic infantile nystagmus n = 49), attending a low vision clinic in Northern Ireland, over a 24 year period (1986–2010). Data were categorised by age to allow for comparisons with published studies. A prospective group of participants with Infantile nystagmus syndrome ( INS ) [ n = 22 (albinism n = 18, idiopathic infantile nystagmus n = 4)] (aged 0–4) were also recruited. Cycloplegic streak retinoscopy was performed biannually, over a 3 year period. Spherical equivalent refractive error and most ametropic meridian were analysed. Results The mean spherical equivalent refractive errors for albinism and idiopathic infantile nystagmus groups (across all age categories) were hypermetropic, with highest levels demonstrated by the participants with albinism aged 1 ≤ 4 years (Mann‐Whitney U test, p = 0.013). Mean most ametropic meridian was highest in the albinism group aged 1 ≤ 12 years (Mann‐Whitney U test, p < 0.05). Individual data demonstrated relatively static spherical equivalent refractive errors over time. Prospective participants were hypermetropic at all visits and those with albinism had, on average, higher refractive errors than those with idiopathic infantile nystagmus ( IIN ). No significant correlations were noted between visual acuity and spherical equivalent refractive errors or most ametropic meridian. Conclusions Hypermetropia is the most prevalent spherical refractive error in the INS population, irrespective of level of visual acuity. Individuals with infantile nystagmus syndrome fail to demonstrate typical patterns of emmetropisation, particularly in the presence of albinism.