Evaluation of ophthalmologic abnormalities in pediatric patients with idiopathic scoliosis: A prospective, cross-sectional, case-control study

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of ophthalmologic abnormalities, particularly binocular vision disorders and refractive errors, in children diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis (IS).

Patients and methods: Between September 2025 and December 2025, a total of 48 pediatric patients diagnosed with IS (scoliosis group) and 41 age- and sex-matched healthy children (control group) were included in this prospective, cross-sectional, case-control study. The Cobb angle (≥ 10°) was considered in the scoliosis assessment. Based on Cobb angle measurements, scoliosis patients were classified into two subgroups: mild scoliosis (10°-20°, n = 26) and moderate scoliosis (21°-40°, n = 22). All participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, including cycloplegic refraction, visual acuity levels, and near stereoscopic vision measurement.

Results: Of a total of 48 patients with IS included in the study, 14 were male and 34 were female with a median age of 14 (range, 6 to 18) years. The control group consisted of 41 participants. Of them, 16 were male and 25 were female with a median age of 11 (range, 5 to 16) years. Cervicothoracic scoliosis was identified in 30 patients (62.5%) in the scoliosis group. The number of patients with refractive error requiring glasses was significantly higher in the scoliosis group (p = 0.030). Stereoacuity levels were significantly lower in the scoliosis group (p < 0.001), and this difference was observed in both mild and moderate scoliosis subgroups. However, multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusting for age and sex revealed no independent association between scoliosis and decreased stereopsis or refractive error.

Conclusion: Children with idiopathic scoliosis exhibit reduced stereopsis and a higher frequency of refractive errors requiring spectacles. These findings suggest a potential association between scoliosis and visual function. Therefore, ophthalmologic evaluation may be considered as part of the clinical assessment of children with scoliosis.

Citation: Sahin AA, Keles Sahin A. Evaluation of ophthalmologic abnormalities in pediatric patients with idiopathic scoliosis: A prospective, cross-sectional, case-control study. Jt Dis Relat Surg 2026;37(3):747-755. doi: 10.52312/jdrs.2026.2854.

A.A.S: Conception and design, collection and assembly of data, literatüre review and writing of the original draft; A.K.S: Conception and design, collection and assembly of data, analysis and interpretation of the data, critical review and editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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