Abstract
Purpose :
Some studies have shown a potential link between ocular conditions and developmental delays in children. Here, we investigated the relationship between specific ocular conditions and developmental concerns reported by parents in a sample of multiethnic preschool children.
Methods :
We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Multiethnic Pediatric Eye Disease Study (MEPEDS), a population-based study in Los Angeles, California. MEPEDS involved comprehensive eye examinations including cycloplegic refraction, for children aged 6 to 72 months, encompassing White, African American, Latino, and Asian American populations. Parental concerns about child development were assessed using the Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status Screening Instrument. Among the 9,197 enrolled children, Data on developmental concerns were available for 8,321 (90.5%). We conducted multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for children’s age and race, household income, medical/vision insurance, maternal factors (age at pregnancy, smoking, and alcohol drinking during pregnancy), and primary caregiver’s education level.
Results :
Among the 8,321 children evaluated, 1,364 (16.4%) were identified at high risk for developmental problems. The presence of astigmatism and strabismus, especially esotropia, were significantly associated with greater parental concerns about child development even after adjusting for covariates. These associations were more evident among children between the age of 36 and 72 months (P =0.008 for trend by astigmatism level and P=0.012 for esotropia). In this older age group, the odds ratios of parental concerns were 1.30 (95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.68) for children with astigmatism of 1.50 - <3.0 D, 1.54 (0.96-2.46) for astigmatism of 3.0 D or greater, and 1.96 (1.16-3.33) for esotropia. However, the presence of hyperopia, myopia, anisometropia, or amblyopia did not show significant associations with parental concerns about development in these preschool children.
Conclusions :
The study found that the presence of ocular conditions such as astigmatism and strabismus correlates with increased parental concerns about development in preschool children, particularly in the 36 to 72-month age group. These associations may, in part, stem from heightened parental attention or awareness regarding developmental issues among children diagnosed with ocular diseases.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.