Treating diabetic retinopathy Treating diabetic retinopathy is a critical aspect of preserving vision and maintaining the overall quality of life […]
Down Syndrome is a disorder caused by a duplication of part or all of the 21st chromosome. The extra genetic material leads to physical and developmental issues in people who have the condition.
People who are diagnosed with Down Syndrome (DS) typically have a higher risk of vision issues which can affect the development of important visual skills.
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, over 60 percent of children with Down Syndrome have vision problems. They also tend to be in the higher range of astigmatism (both regarding far-sightedness and near-sightedness), and often require special lenses. But even with the assistance of corrective lenses, reduced visual skills in other areas can negatively impact the overall quality of their vision.
Due to the numerous ways in which Down Syndrome can impact the development of the eyes and visual skills,it is important for children with this condition to have regular comprehensive eye exams starting from when they are 6 months old.
Due to the fact that conducting eye exams on children with Down Syndrome can be more difficult, it is a good idea to choose an optometrist who has experience working with children who have down Syndrome or other developmental issues.
There are a wide range of vision issues which can affect people with Down Syndrome at higher rates than the general population. According to the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus, the most common visual condition associated with Down Syndrome is Strabismus affecting 20%-60% of people with Down Syndrome.
Other visual conditions include:
It can be a challenge to detect vision issues in people with Down Syndrome, largely because they are unlikely to complain about the issues or may not realize there is a problem. For this reason, it is important that parents and other caregivers pay attention to signs that may indicate a vision issue, and bring them up with a developmental optometrist. Due to the high prevalence of strabismus in this population it is highly recommended that all people with Down Syndrome schedule a developmental eye exam.
Symptoms to look out for include:
Following the developmental eye exam, our developmental eye doctor will formulate a personalized vision therapy treatment plan designed to address any vision issues detected. The treatment process includes exercises designed to help develop and improve vision skills, as well as the use of specialized vision devices. Additionally, if the patient has a severe enough astigmatism to also need corrective lenses, those can be provided.
Vision therapy works to enhance vision skills, which include:
We understand that it can be more difficult to work with a child who has Down Syndrome. Our staff has experience working with special needs children, so we can provide them with the best possible care.
Length of treatment varies on a case-by-case basis, depending on the patient’s vision issues. Treatment can run as little as a few weeks, or many months. Our doctor will be able to give you an estimate following the developmental vision exam.
Down Syndrome is a condition which impacts a child’s development in many ways, and people with Down Syndrome often suffer from vision issues which may be hard to detect, given the nature of the condition. Once the problems are detected, however, vision therapy is an effective method of treatment to improve their quality of life. If your child was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and is showing symptoms of a vision issue, contact us today to schedule a developmental eye exam. To schedule a developmental eye exam, please call (562) 925-6591. Patients with developmental issues such as down syndrome visit our clinic from all over California, and we are proud to be a leading provider of medical eye care services for patients from Bellflower, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Los Angeles.
I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.
Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.
My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!
The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.
I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.
This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.
Very professional staff and pleasant.
Treating diabetic retinopathy Treating diabetic retinopathy is a critical aspect of preserving vision and maintaining the overall quality of life […]
As an optometrist at Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach in Bellflower, one of the most common questions Dr. Eric […]
Is foggy vision troubling you? Let our experienced optometrist restore your sight – book an appointment today and see the […]
Monday & Wednesday
9:00AM–6:00PM
Tuesday & Thursday
8:00AM–5:00PM
Saturday
By appointment only
Friday & Sunday
Closed
