Ocular conditions of autistic patients
A177
In contrast to many other developmental conditions, autistic people should be expected to have good visual acuity. If you find reduced visual acuity65 you should investigate it further. Children and young people with autism are more likely to have refractive errors with an astigmatic component,66 strabismus and poor accommodative function.67 You should therefore explore accommodative function when providing eyecare.
References
65 Anketell PM, Saunders KJ, Gallagher SM et al. (2015) Brief Report: Vision in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Should Clinicians Expect? J Autism Dev Disord. 45(9):3041-3047 [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]66 Anketell PM, Saunders KJ, Gallagher S et al. (2016) Profile of refractive errors in European Caucasian children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder; increased prevalence and magnitude of astigmatism.Ophthalmic Physiol Opt; 36:395– 03. doi: 10.1111/opo.12286 [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]
67 Anketell PM, Saunders KJ, Gallagher SM et al (2018) Accommodative Function in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Optometry and Vision Science: March 2018, 95(3):193–201. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001190 [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]