COMMITTED TO THE EYE HEALTH OF PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME
As a result of the collaboration agreement between Miranza Instituto Gómez-Ulla and Fundación Down Compostela, around thirty individuals have received free eye examinations conducted by the team of specialists at the Miranza clinic in Santiago de Compostela.
These check-ups, carried out at the Foundation’s facilities, are part of a comprehensive and personalized follow-up strategy aimed primarily at providing easy and tailored access to specialized ophthalmology, thereby ensuring the visual well-being and improved quality of life of the individuals served.
Dr. María Santiago, an ophthalmologist at our Galician clinic, has coordinated the evaluations, which have included comprehensive vision tests:
- Analysis of the corneal condition
- Refraction study
- Monitoring of other key aspects that allow for early detection of any visual impairment
Most prevalent conditions
Corneal conditions (such as keratoconus), early-onset cataracts, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and nystagmus are common in people with Down syndrome. Examinations like those conducted help anticipate potential complications, thereby strengthening personal autonomy as well as the inclusion and social participation of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Among the most common health challenges faced by this group are cataracts, with people with Down syndrome being ten times more likely to develop this visual condition compared to the general population. Moreover, they are more prone to developing it in early childhood, with over 70% of cases being congenital— that is, present before birth.
This group also tends to have thinner and more irregular corneas, which increases the risk of developing keratoconus— a condition in which the eye’s outer layer takes on a cone-like shape instead of a rounded one, leading to reduced vision.
Specialized care from childhood and throughout life
Access to regular eye exams, especially from an early age, is essential to ensure proper visual development in people with Down syndrome. That’s why one of the key pillars of this collaboration is raising awareness about the importance of visiting an ophthalmologist within the first three months of life. If no ocular condition is detected, the next check-up is recommended at two and a half years of age, followed by annual eye exams throughout all stages of life. Additionally, during these evaluations, it is important to adapt both techniques and examination times to the individual characteristics of each patient, ensuring a caring, personalized, and effective experience.
