Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of epiphora and its management in a cohort of children with Down syndrome Methods: The guardians of 154 children with Down syndrome (who participate in a longitudinal study of visual development) were contacted with a written questionnaire. For those that did not return the questionnaire, a follow up telephone interview was attempted. Data were requested on the presence of absence of epiphora since birth, whether this was associated with a discharge and whether any medical advice or treatment was given. Results: There was a 64.9% response rate (100 replies). The mean age of the children was 10± 3.5 years (range 0.7–18 years). There were 68 male subjects. Epiphora at any stage was reported in 48% of children. This was associated with a mucopurulent discharge in 85% (41/48).Epiphora present from birth was seen in 37% of children with 54% (20/37) associated with mucopurulent discharge. Treatment was advised in 78% of which 73% was by an ophthalmologist. Surgery for nasolacrimal duct obstruction was carried out in 27% of these children. Conclusions: Epiphora is very common in children with Down syndrome. Spontaneous resolution of epiphora from birth is seen less often than in children without Down syndrome. There is hence a higher rate of surgical intervention in children with epiphora who have Down syndrome
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled • cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence