Ophthalmic manifestations in children with tuberous sclerosis complex

Summary, in English

Purpose: To report on the ophthalmic findings in children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in southern Sweden, and to investigate the frequency of refractive errors, strabismus and cerebral visual impairment associated with this condition. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study including all paediatric patients with TSC in southern Sweden born between 1983 and 2020. Medical records were reviewed regarding retinal findings, visual acuity, refractive error, strabismus, full-field electroretinography results and cerebral visual impairment. Results: Ophthalmological records were available for 50 of the 52 children in the region diagnosed with TSC. The mean age at the last visit was 12.4 (SD 7.2) years. Monocular visual acuity had been measured in 38 patients, and the median value did not deviate from that expected for their age in the better eye, but by −0.2 Snellen decimal acuity in the worse eye. Refractive errors were found in 62% of the patients, and strabismus in 16%. Retinal astrocytic hamartomas were found in 34% and achromatic patches in 34%. Ten of the patients on medication with vigabatrin were examined with full-field electroretinography and treatment had to be stopped or lowered in three (30%), due to a reduced response. Investigation of cerebral visual impairment had not been conducted in any of the children. Conclusion: Refractive errors and strabismus were common among children with TSC. None of the patients in this cohort had undergone investigation for cerebral visual impairment. The general awareness of cerebral visual impairment among ophthalmologists is poor and constitutes an important area for improvement.

• Author: Hanna Maria Öhnell; Ulrika Kjellström; Erik Eklund; Kevin Pearsson; Zivile Bekassy; Lotta Gränse
• Department/s: Ophthalmology (Malmö); Ophthalmology, Lund; Retinopathy of Prematurity; Clinical research in families with inherited retinal degeneration; Clinical Sciences, Helsingborg; Epilepsy Center; Pediatric Nephrology
• Publishing year: 2024-06
• Language: English
• Pages: 421-427
• Publication/Series: Acta Ophthalmologica
• Volume: 102
• Issue: 4
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aos.15812
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Topic: Ophthalmology
• Keywords: achromatic patches; cerebral visual impairment; ophthalmic findings; refractive errors; retinal hamartomas; tuberous sclerosis complex; visual acuity
• Status: Published
• Research group: Ophthalmology (Malmö); Retinopathy of Prematurity; Clinical research in families with inherited retinal degeneration; Pediatric Nephrology
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1755-375X