Hypoaccommodation in childhood and young adulthood

Background: Hypoaccommodation in children and youth is a nearly unknown field. Diagnosis often occurs too late because of the numerous causes and problems with children in performing case reports. Methods: Retrospective we analysed the case reports of 131 patients with hypoaccommodation, who were known at the ophthalmologic out-patient department. Results: We divided these patients into four large groups. 54 (41%) belonged to the group with manifest strabism and hypoaccommodation and 38 (29%) to the group of latent strabism and hypoaccommodation. The third subdivision compromised a number of 10 patients (8%) with orthophoria and hypoaccommodation. 29 patients (22%) showed other causes of hypoaccommodation. Conclusion: In children and youth hypoaccommodation is often connected with strabism, especially with latent strabism. In case of healthy young people with reading disabilities and asthenopia, the possibility of an existing hypoaccommodation should be considered to ensure an adequate therapy.