Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are known for their wide-ranging manifestations. The diagnosis is associated with facial, bone and other physical deformities, major organ complications and even learning disabilities and other social and behavioral issues.¹ The degree and amount of these complications are a gamble, but a near consistent result of exposure to alcohol in utero is ophthalmological abnormalities, according to a new study.²

The Sweden-based research team looked at 30 cases of adopted children diagnosed with FASD.² The researchers evaluated their records from the time of their adoption (mean age 7.9 years) into adulthood, between 13 and 18 years later.² They reviewed each subject’s visual acuity, refraction, stereoacuity, strabismus, ocular media and fundus exam.² Most commonly, the subjects developed astigmatism.² Defective stereoacuity was also noted frequently, appearing in 67% of the patients in childhood and, by adulthood, 73%.² Heterotropia occurred in 40% in childhood and 43% in adulthood.² Increased tortuosity of the retinal vessels was found in 27% in childhood and 37% in adulthood and optic nerve hypoplasia was recorded in three children and four adults.²

Median visual acuities were 20/32 OD and 20/32 OS in childhood and 20/22 OD and 20/20 OS in adulthood.²