Refractive surgery shows promise for children with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability

Refractive surgery may significantly improve social functioning and vision-specific quality of life for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) who cannot tolerate traditional corrective lenses, according to a study.

The study included 18 children with ASD and/or ID who were unable to adhere to spectacle use. Each participant underwent refractive surgery, either through intraocular lens implantation or keratectomy. Researchers assessed the impact of the surgery on social functioning and vision-related quality of life over 12 months, using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) and the Pediatric Eye Questionnaire (PedEyeQ).

Results indicated statistically significant improvements in specific social functioning areas, including Social Awareness and Social Motivation. In addition, the study found notable improvements in vision-specific quality of life, particularly in functional vision and how bothered the children were by their eyes or vision. Although a narrow majority of patients showed a clinically important improvement in overall social functioning, these changes were not statistically significant.

The authors called for larger, controlled studies to confirm these findings and further explore the potential benefits of this treatment approach.

Reference
Strelnikov J, Zdonczyk A, Pruett JR Jr, et al. Social and Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Surgery in Children with Developmental Disorders and Spectacle Non-Adherence. Am J Ophthalmol. 2024;S0002-9394(24)00362-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2024.08.009. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39168367.