What is Fragile X Syndrome?
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the second most common chromosomal-based developmental condition after Down Syndrome and is estimated to occur in:
- 1.4 in 10,000 males (0.014%)
- 0.9 in 10,000 females (0.009%)
Fragile X syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by mild-to-moderate intellectual disability.
Physical features of FXS may include a long and narrow face, large ears and flexible fingers. About a third of those affected have features of autism such as problems with social interactions and delayed speech. Hyperactivity is common and seizures occur in about 10 percent of the FXS population.
Fragile X syndrome has an X-linked dominant inheritance, typically caused by an expansion of the CGG triplet repeat within the FMR1 (fragile X mental retardation 1) gene on the X chromosome.
Signs of FXS
Most young children do not show any physical signs of FXS— physical features usually begin to develop around the time puberty begins. Aside from intellectual disability, prominent characteristics of the syndrome may include:
- Large, protruding ears
- Long face (vertical maxillary excess)
- High-arched palate (related to the above)
- Hyper-extensible finger joints
- Hyper-extensible (‘double-jointed’) thumbs
- Post pubescent macro-orchidism
- Hypotonia (low muscle tone)
- Flat feet
- Soft skin
Behavioral characteristics may include stereotypic movements, such as hand-flapping and atypical social development, particularly:
- Shyness
- Limited eye contact
- Memory problems
- Difficulty with face recognition
Some individuals with FXS also meet the diagnostic criteria for autism.
If your child suffers with any of the signs above contact a vision therapy eye doctor near you.
SEE RELATED: Vision and Special Needs
Vision and FXS
Over half of the FXS population suffer from visual problems— most commonly eye turns, lazy eye and poor eye muscle control.
According to a review of ophthalmic findings of 55 patients with FXS, most of the vision problems included:
- Strabismus (eye turns)
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Convergence insufficiency
- Poor stereopsis (3D vision)
- Refractive errors
- Nystagmus
Management of FXS
Medications may be used to treat associated seizures, mood problems, aggressive behavior or ADHD.
Early intervention is highly recommended for children with FXS as it provides the best opportunities for developing a variety of skills and abilities.
These interventions may include:
- Vision therapy
- Speech therapy
- Behavioral therapy
- Sensory integration therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Special education
LEARN MORE: Vision for Special Needs
If your child has been diagnosed with FXS, contact an eye doctor who is experienced in vision therapy to be able to offer you solutions and strategies to manage any vision problems.
