OPTOMETRIC FINDINGS IN VELOCARDIOFACIAL SYNDROME

Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) is a congenital genetically determine d condition with skeletal, heart and facial anomalies. Almost all chil dren have learning problems, despite an often normal or above average IQ. We have examined 10 children with a prior diagnosis of VCFS. All w ere mildly to moderately hyperopic. Most had poor accommodation, and c onvergence was clinically poor. About 30% had tortuous retinal vessels . VCFS may be detected in the optometry clinic, and optometric managem ent may ameliorate the learning problems in some cases.