The prevalence of strabismus in congenital nystagmus: the influence of anterior visual pathway disease.

PURPOSE To determine the influence of underlying visual system disorders on the risk of developing strabismus in children with congenital nystagmus. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 82 cases of congenital nystagmus from a pediatric ophthalmology referral practice. RESULTS Strabismus was found in 50% of children with congenital nystagmus. The prevalence of strabismus was 82% in children with bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia, 53% in patients with albinism, 36% in children with congenital retinal dystrophies, and 17% in children with idiopathic congenital nystagmus. CONCLUSION The risk that a child with congenital nystagmus will have strabismus develop can be predicted from the nature of the underlying visual disorder.

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