Ocular morbidity in hearing impaired schoolchildren.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the pattern and prevalence of ocular morbidity in hearing impaired schoolchildren.


METHODS
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the three different deaf schools of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Kavre districts. All children in the deaf school underwent complete ocular examination. Examination included visual acuity assessment, refraction, binocular vision assessment, and anterior and posterior segment evaluation.


RESULTS
Ocular examination was carried out in 279 children with age range within 5 to 20 years (mean age 14.1 ± 3.14 years). Ocular morbidity was detected in 78 (28%) children with 46 (16.48%) having refractive errors. Seventy eight percent children did not have corrective lenses despite having refractive errors. Two children were found to have pigmentary retinopathy where electro-retinogram findings suggested Usher's Syndrome in one child. Another child was found to have Waardenburg Syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Hearing impaired children are at an increased risk of having ocular morbidity. Hence, periodic eye examinations are important in deaf children.
Bist
J
J
BP Koirala Lions Center for Ophthalmic Studies, Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal. bistajeewa@gmail.com
Adhikari
P
P
Sharma
A K
AK
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities; D011788:Quality of Life; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000453:epidemiology; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014785:Vision, Ocular; D055815:Young Adult