OPHTHALMOLOGIC ABNORMALITIES IN CHILDREN WITH IMPAIRED HEARING

AIM: To determine the nature of ophthalmologic abnormalities in severe and profound grades of hearing impaired children and to treat visual impairment if any at the earliest. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study was conducted on100 children in the age group of 5-14 years with severe and profound hearing loss visiting outpatient department of Ram Lal Eye and ENT hospital Govt. Medical College Amritsar and subjected to detailed ophthalmological examination. RESULTS: 100 children in the age group 5-14 years with hearing impairment were enrolled for the study, 68 had profound and 32 had severe hearing loss. Visual disorders were found to be as high as 71%. Highest percentage was seen in children aged 7 years. Majority of them (50%) had refractive error. Out of these 50 children, 28(56%) had myopia, 10 (20%) hypermetropia and 12(24%) had astigmatism. The other ophthalmic abnormalities in our study were conjunctivitis 14(19.71%), fundus abnormalities and squint 11(15.49%), blepharitis 5 (7.04%), vitamin A deficiency 6 (8.04%), amblyopia 8 (11.26%), pupil disorder 3 (4.22%), cataract 3 (4.22%) and heterochromia iridis 7 (9.85%). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of ophthalmic abnormalities in deaf children mandate screening them for possible ophthalmic abnormalities. Early diagnosis and correction of visual disturbances would go a long way in social and professional performance of these children.