Ophthalmological Findings of Turkish Children With Muscular Dystrophies.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To present the results of ophthalmological examinations in children with muscular dystrophies and highlight the importance of their ophthalmological evaluation. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the ophthalmological examination records in 74 children with a type of muscular dystrophy, examined between January 2011 and January 2015, was performed. RESULTS: The most common type of muscular dystrophy observed in our patients was Duchenne muscular dystrophy (67.5%), followed by Becker muscular dystrophy (9.4%), myotonic dystrophy (8%), limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (6.7%), merosin-negative muscular dystrophy (4%), and Ullrich muscular dystrophy (4%). Ten cases of Duchenne muscular dystrophy had both macular and retinal pigmentary changes (20%) and 9 had abnormal electroretinographies with decreased photopic and scotopic responses. Ptosis was the most common finding (83.3%). No abnormalities of light reflexes, pupil size, or saccadic and smooth pursuit movements were seen among cases with myotonic dystrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmological problems are commonly seen in children with muscular dystrophies. Simple ophthalmological screening and early intervention can improve their communication skills by way of increasing their visual talents.