OPHTHALMOLOGIC FINDINGS IN THE AUTISTIC-C HILD

Purpose Autism is a clinical entity defined by characteristic associat ion of a lack of social interactions and communications, beginning bef ore three years of age. The purpose of this study was to screen ophtha lmologic findings in autistic children. Materials and methods Ten auti stic children, 6 girls and 4 boys, underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination in the Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology at the Hospi tal La Timone, Marseilles, France. Their age ranged from I to 14 years (mean = 8.5 +/- 3.8). Results Refraction showed hypermetropia in 7 ca ses (70 %), astigmatism move than I diopter in 6 cases (60 %), bilater al astigmatism in 4 cases (40 %) and unilateral astigmatism in 2 cases (20 %). Astigmatism axis was oblique for 8 eyes, with the rule of 6 e yes and against the rule for 2 eyes. Strabismus was present in 6 cases (60 %) including 4 cases of exotropia. Fundus examination found pallo r of the optic disc in 4 cases. Conclusion Ophthalmologic findings in autistic children appear to be mainly unilateral or bilateral astigmat ism and binocular vision troubles. They can lend to amblyopia with the risk of functional loss of vision. Early diagnosis of vistial problem s in autistic children is also essential in order to be able to propos e adequate psychological and educational caves for the children and th eir family.