EYE PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN WITH MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

In a retrospective review, the eye symptoms of 17 children (mean age: 13 1/2 years) who had definite multiple sclerosis (Poser's criteria) a nd 15 who had probable multiple sclerosis over the last 18 years were evaluated, Follow-up varied from 3 weeks-to 6 years. Of 94% of childre n (16 of 17) with ophthalmologic symptoms, 47% (8 of 17) presented wit h an initial disturbance of vision, Twelve children had optic neuritis , 1 progressive uveitis, and 4 brainstem symptoms (i,e,, VIth nerve pa lsy, 1 1/2 syndrome, internuclear ophthalmoplegia), Four children had cerebellar signs (nystagmus, saccadic pursuit), In 4 children, clinica l localization was less specific, Recovery was generally good in most of the children; cerebellar problems were most persistent, Multimodal potentials were more helpful for investigation of optic neuritis and c erebellar lesions than for brainstem lesions, In the cohort of probabl e multiple sclerosis of 15 children, 11 had eye symptoms (5 with neuro myelitis optica, 4 optic neuritis, 1 internuclear ophthalmoplegia, and 1 cerebellar symptoms), Ophthalmologic symptoms are slightly more fre quent in children with multiple sclerosis than in adults and should be specifically investigated to establish the diagnosis.