Comparative study of visual function of two groups with mental handicaps (elite athletes participating at Special Olympics'97 and a sedentary group)

Different authors have reported superior visual abilities in athletes. On the other hand, no one doubts the general benefits that physical activity can bring to mentally retarded people. With occasion of the Special Olympics'97 celebration the authors decided to compare general visual function of two groups of subjects with mental handicaps: Special Olympics athletes and non-athletes. Although at a descriptive level we observe that the prevalence of refractive errors and strabismus was significantly higher for the sedentary population than for the special athletes, it was difficult to explain the differences in terms of benefits reported by sporting activities. Nevertheless, the authors believe that controlled physical activity offers great general benefits and probably also visual benefits to people with mental disabilities.