Mental retardation syndromes with associated ocular defects.

The mentally handicapped represent up to six million individuals who require the eye and vision care the optometrist can provide. Few of these individuals, however, ever receive this care. This paper reviews the pertinent aspects of each of these syndromes and briefly describes the associated oculo-visual anomalies that are frequently seen. The optometric clinician should actively participate in the primary health care needs of children and adults diagnosed as having mental retardation.