Visual and ocular findings in children adopted from eastern Europe

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate ophthalmological findings in children adopted from eastern Europe. Methods: A prospective study on 72/99 children, born 1990-5 and adopted from eastern Europe to western Sweden during 1993-7 was performed. The children (41 boys; mean age 7.5 years) were compared with an age and sex matched reference group ("ref") of Swedish children. Results: 78% of the adopted children had abnormal ocular findings. 26% (ref 4%) had visual acuity (VA) of the better eye ≤0.5 (≥0.3 logMAR) (p=0.0001) and 8% (ref 0%) were visually impaired (p=0.01). Amblyopia was found in 15% (ref 2%) (p= 0.005). 22% (ref 10%) were hyperopic (≥2.0 D SE) (NS) and 10% (ref 1%) were myopic (≥0.5 D SE) (p=0.03). Astigmatism (≥0.75 D) was found in 51% (ref 23%) (p=0.004). 32% (ref 2%) had strabismus (p<0.0001), mostly esotropia. Four cases had bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia, in three of whom a history of suspected prenatal alcohol exposure was documented. One child had congenital glaucoma. Signs of visuoperceptual problems were recorded in 37% (ref 1%) (p<0.0001). Conclusion: In this study, children adopted from eastern Europe had a high frequency of ophthalmological findings. Consequently, it is strongly recommended that an ophthalmological examination be performed in these children after arrival in their new home country.