The Impact of Pediatric Vision Disorders in Adulthood

Abstract

In addition to refractive errors such as myopia and astigmatism, ocular disorders that occur in infants, toddlers, and children may present lifelong problems for the child. Conditions such as strabismus, amblyopia, and retinopathy of prematurity may require adaptations in adulthood. In addition, vision disorders that occur in childhood may manifest as problems well into adulthood. When visual impairment is present, there may be further effects on overall health, self-perception, educational attainment, job choices, and a number of other social factors.

Longitudinal Investigation of Adaptive Functioning Following Conformal Irradiation for Pediatric Craniopharyngioma and Low-Grade Glioma

“…Visual impairment is a known risk factor for reduced socialization and performance of daily living skills in non-cancer patients (15, 16). It was hypothesized that these skill deficits would be observed in this group of brain tumor survivors.…”

“…The effects of visual impairment in childhood have exhibited a long-term impact on the quality of life and functional abilities well into adulthood. A review of studies suggests that even mild visual acuity loss can negatively affect an individual's perception of daily living skill performance, tendency toward social interaction, and feelings of loneliness (16). The higher risk of visual impairment in patients diagnosed with craniopharyngioma and LGG suggests a need to investigate the association with adaptive functioning in this pediatric brain tumor population.…”

Cerebral Visual Impairment in Children

“…In conclusion, despite many positive examples of spontaneous recovery of visual capacities and spontaneous adaptation, many children with CVI may exhibit persistent visual impairment (see Hoyt 2003 ), which may cause disability well into, if not during adulthood: in addition, persistent CVI may further affect overall health, self-perception, educational attainment, job choices and social interactions (Davidson and Quinn 2011 ). Thus, intervention measures are required as early as possible, to reduce the degree of visual handicap; to support an optimal visual, cognitive and social development of children with CVI; and to guarantee the best options possible for later life.…”

Neurorehabilitation after neonatal intensive care: evidence and challenges

“…Rehabilitation therefore combines neural stimulation to the amblyopic eye by either patching or applying atropine to the more functional eye, combined with active use of the lessfunctional eye in activities of daily living. 13 This principle of forced use with training in relevant activities is similar to that of constraint therapy for hemiplegic CP, which will be discussed later. Early detection and treatment are more efficient in the youngest children (<3 years) with extremely good results in about 75% of all children treated at <7 years.…”