Visual Diagnosis and Care of the Patient with Special Needs

Eye care professionals have the responsibility of providing primary and specialized eye and vision care to a wide variety of individuals. One patient population that has in some ways been greatly ignored by many eye care practitioners are those with special needs. Approximately 1 of every 110 children born in the United States will develop an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Down syndrome effects 1 of every 1000 children born to mothers 30 years of age or older. Individuals with Fragile X syndrome are frequently encountered as well. Learning disabilities are currently estimated to be noted in 4.6 million children while 17% of individuals have some form of developmental delay. With the average eye care practitioner seeing between 3 and 4 thousand patients a year, chances are they will encounter multiple patients falling into each of these categories. Using the statistics previously noted, special populations could comprise as much as 37% of some practices.