Vision

Vision is a complex activity and people with vision problems often surprise us by what they can see and do. Most people can see something, though it might not be very much. Whatever sight your child has is likely to be useful. For example, people who can only see light and dark may be able to tell where a window is and use this information to find their way around a room. 

In our 2022 article, we describe visual problems in 20 out of 22 people with Baker-Gordon syndrome. The management of visual problems in people with Baker-Gordon syndrome will differ depending on their cognitive and motor development and day-to-day activities. 

There are different ways in which vision may be affected in Baker-Gordon syndrome – some people pose difficulties with seeing things at a distance, others with seeing things that are near; some affect what your child can see clearly, others what they can see in their wider field of vision. Muscle control of eye position can lead to squint in many young children with BAGOS, and some also have difficulties controlling smooth movement of the eye leading to jerky eye movement (nystagmus). 

It is important to remember that your child’s level of vision can change from day to day, or even from moment to moment. It may depend on their surroundings, as lighting changes from place to place, and whether it is a familiar environment. If your child is unwell, tired or under pressure, they may not be able to use the vision they have as well as they usually can. 

If you have any concerns regarding your child's vision, your family doctor is usually the first point of contact for many families. They can advise and arrange further assessments and refer you to an eye specialist – an ophthalmologist. 

Below are a number of questions that you can ask your family doctor, ophthalmologist or paediatrician regarding your child’s vision: 

▪ What can I do to help? 

▪ Is the condition likely to get worse, better or stay the same? 

▪ Do you have any information on the eye condition that I could take home and read, or is there any website? 

UK resource: 

https://media.rnib.org.uk/documents/APDF-ENG021603_Early_Support_Parents_Information_0.pdf 

US resource: 

https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/AAPOS/159c8d7c-f577-4c85-bf77-ac8e4f0865bd/UploadedImages/Documents/AAPOS-Patient-Resources.pdf