Prevalence And Clinical Characteristics Of Dry Eye Disease And Refractive Errors In Children With Down Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study From Uzbekistan
Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: POCOR487 | Type: Poster | DOI: 10.82333/h9pk-dp35
Authors: Dr Umida Shavkatovna Khamraeva* 1 , Prof. Azamat Yusupov 1 , Prof. Muyassar Karimova 1 , Dr Maftuna Vahobova 1
1Ophthalmology ,REPUBLICAN SPECIALIZED SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL MEDICAL CENTER OF EYE MICROSURGERY,Tashkent,Uzbekistan
Purpose
This cross-sectional study from Uzbekistan study aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of dry eye disease and refractive errors in children with Down syndrome.
Setting
Cross-sectional study conducted at the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Eye Microsurgery, Uzbekistan, between January and February 2026.
Methods
50 children with Down syndrome aged 2–14 years underwent comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation including visometry, autorefractometry, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and Schirmer’s test. Demographic characteristics (age, sex, city of residence), medical history, ocular complaints, uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity, refractive status and tear production were recorded and analyzed. The female-to-male ratio was 2:3.
Results
All patients had epicanthal folds, upward-slanting palpebral fissures. Such symptoms,as photophobia,eye rubbing,irritation,hyperemia,and lacrimation were common. A history of nasolacrimal duct obstruction was reported in 78,6%,with 57,1% having undergone probing; chronic blepharitis was noted in 53,3%. Visually significant refractive errors were detected in 75,7%,predominantly presented by astigmatism (72%),followed by hyperopia (36%) and myopia (24%). Moderate hyperopia (72%) and moderate myopia (56,5%) predominated.12,4% of astigmatism was mixed, 57,8%-compound myopic, 29,8%-c.hypermetropic. Amblyopia was observed in 48%. Schirmer’s test values (8–10 mm) indicated reduced tear production consistent with mild-to-moderate dry eye disease.
Conclusions
This study provides novel data on ophthalmic disorders and refractive changes in children with Down syndrome living in different regions of Uzbekistan. The high prevalence of refractive errors, particularly astigmatism, highlights the importance of early and regular screening in this population. Some manifestations, such as amblyopia, can significantly limit the visual perception of information, and impair visual development. Structural eyelid abnormalities, nasolacrimal duct dysfunction, and reduced blinking likely contribute to dry eye disease and chronic blepharitis in these children. Early detection and timely management are essential to improve visual function, quality of life, and social integration in this vulnerable population.