Refractive errors in children with cerebral palsy, psychomotor retardation, and other non-cerebral palsy neuromotor disabilities

The aim of this study was to analyse the refractive state of four different groups of children: those with spastic cerebral palsy (CP), aged between 7 and 81 months (N=50); psychomotor retardation, aged between 19 and 70 mont hs (N=16); other neuromotor dysfunctions, aged between la and 75 months (N= 37); and without psychomotor retardation, aged between 9 and 73 months (N=1 81). Refractive errors were determined using cycloplegic retinoscopy and no n-cycloplegic retinoscopy (Mohindra's technique). We found higher percentag es of hyperopia, tendency toward hyperopia, and other refractive anomalies in all the pathological groups of children than in the non-pathological con trol groups, Children from both the non-CP pathological control group and t he group with psychomotor retardation had similar or even higher levels of hyperopia than children from the group with spastic CP, Our results in diff erent age groups indicate a less effective normal emmetropization course in all the pathological groups of children studied. The correction of refract ive errors is needed in these children before the end of the neural plastic ity period.