Am Orthopt J  48:104-111  (1998).

Ophthalmologic Changes in Patients with Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Maria Estela Arroyo-Yllanes, MD
Maria Antonieta Benitez-Nava, MD
Enrique Garrido, MD

Introduction and Objective: ophthalmic changes in cerebral Palsy (CP) are a frequent cause of visual deficits. The object of this study was to determine the frequency, type and characteristics of ophthalmic abnormalities in patients with cerebral palsy and to correlate these findings with the type and severity of the cerebral palsy present.

Subjects and Methods: A prospective, cross sectional and observational study of 110 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CP was designed. Patients were given a complete ophthalmologic examination including a cycloplegic refraction and a dilate fundus examination.

Results: The most frequent ocular problems were: refractive problems in 109 (99%), ocular motility disturbances in 73 (66.3%), optic atrophy in eleven (14.2%) and anterior segment disturbances in six (7.7%). Correlation between the severity and type of CP showed that optic atrophy is more frequent in patients with spastic quadriparesis. We did not find any other correlations with the other ophthalmic abnormalities.

Conclusion: Refractive errors, alterations in ocular motility and optic atrophy are characteristic ophthalmologic findings in patients with CP .

© 1998 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System