Common eye problems caused by Down Syndrome

Pediatric Ophthalmologist Kenneth Wright, MD, shares advice for parents of a child with Down syndrome on the possible eye problems caused by Down syndrome to keep a look out for
Common Eye Problems Caused By Down Syndrome
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Common eye problems caused by Down Syndrome

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As a pediatric ophthalmologist, I see a lot of children with Down syndrome because they really have a high incidence of eye problems. Cataracts, which is an opacity of the lens. They get blufferitis, which means their eye lids get very inflamed and they get red and a lot of crusting. They can have strabismus, which misalignment of the eyes. They also have a high incidence of refractive errors, a need for glasses. So you can see that patients with Down syndrome need to have a baseline eye exam and we like to see them on a yearly or an every other year basis.

Pediatric Ophthalmologist Kenneth Wright, MD, shares advice for parents of a child with Down syndrome on the possible eye problems caused by Down syndrome to keep a look out for

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Kenneth Wright, MD

Pediatric Ophthalmologist

A caring physician, Dr. Kenneth Wright is devoted to the health of children’s eyes. He is an internationally respected pediatric ophthalmologist, and is included in “The Best Doctors in America” and “Who’s Who in Medicine and Health Care.”  Dr. Wright is a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the USC Keck School of Medicine.  He has developed novel surgical techniques for pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus.  Dr. Wright received his medical degree from Boston University and fellowships in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus at Johns-Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, and Children’s Hospital, Washington, DC.  Following his fellowships, he then accepted a full-time faculty member position at USC School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles where he served for 10 years.  He was later appointed Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, before returning home to Los Angeles to establish a pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus center of excellence.  

Dr. Wright has authored of over 100 published scientific papers, seven textbooks including his renowned textbook, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and has lectured worldwide.  He founded the non-profit Wright Foundation with a mission to reduce blindness and suffering in children with eye disorders through research, education, and clinical care. He has established a pediatric eye clinic for underprivileged children.  Important to the Wright Center is the principle that patient care always comes first.  

An interesting personal note is that Dr. Wright’s youngest son developed crossed eyes as an infant requiring surgery and Dr. Wright operated on his own son.  The outcome was excellent and years later his son served in the United States Marine Corps as a top marksman.

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