Vision Abnormalities in Children and Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy; A Systematic Review

Aim The current study was designed to provide detailed information on the prevalence of ocular abnormalities in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods Four international online scientific databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were systemically searched. First, the titles of the articles were evaluated, and if relevant, their abstracts and full texts were reviewed. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist. Results A total of 147 articles were found in the initial search. After applying the exclusion criteria, 65 articles were chosen for further review, from which 17 articles, comprising a total of 1734 patients with CP ranging in age from birth to 22 years, passed the STROBE quality check and were included in this review. The prevalence of ocular abnormalities in the CP patients reported in the evaluated studies ranged between 34% to 100%, with refractive error, strabismus, and nystagmus exhibiting the greatest overall prevalence at 52%, 48%, and 11%, respectively in this population. Conclusion Early ocular assessment of children with CP is essential for an accurate diagnosis, personalized rehabilitation and performing early interventions to improve their visual function.

Automated summary

The prevalence of ocular abnormalities in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) varies between 34% to 100%, with refractive error, strabismus, and nystagmus being the most common conditions. Early ocular assessment is crucial for accurate diagnosis and intervention.