Subnormal Binocular Vision in the Williams Syndrome

PURPOSE: Patients with Williams syndrome have been found to have a high prevalence of strabismus. This may be due to a primary sensory abnormality. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of subnormal binocular vision in patients with Williams syndrome. METHODS: Patients being followed in an interdisciplinary Williams syndrome clinic were prospectively evaluated to determine their binocular status. RESULTS: Eleven patients with Williams syndrome underwent an ophthalmologic evaluation. Twenty-seven percent of patients had strabismus (3/11). Eight patients demonstrated no measurable strabismus. Six of these patients were found to have monofixation syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of subnormal binocular vision in Williams syndrome. This subnormal binocular vision may explain the high prevalence of strabismus in this syndrome.