Ocular disorder among students with hearing impairment at a special education complex

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the ocular disorders among students with hearing impairment at a special education complex.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to April 2022 at a Special Education Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan, following ethical approval from the research and ethics committee of the Pakistan Institute of Community Ophthalmology. All students with hearing impairments (HI) in a special education complex were included. The history regarding HI was taken from the school records. Visual acuity, anterior segment examination, and refraction were performed on each student. Chi-square and Pearson correlation were conducted using SPSS software.

Results: Out of 156 students, 120 (76.90%) were male. The mean age was 16 ± 4.47 years. Based on the school record, 121 (77.6%) students had congenital HI, and 35 (22.4%) had acquired HI. According to the severity of HI, 13 (8.3%) students had moderate, and 57 (36.5%) had severe HI. The ocular disorders were found in 57 (36.5%) students. Anterior segment pathologies were present in 55 (35.3%) students. Refractive error was found in 47(30.1%) students, heterophoria in 64 (41%), and amblyopia in 12 (7.7%). Ocular disorders were more common in children with profound HI. The association between ocular disorders and the severity of HI was not statistically significant. Twenty-three (14.7%) participants were referred for further detailed ophthalmological examination.

Conclusion: Ocular problems are more common in people with HI. Screening for ocular disorders and their management plays an important role in enhancing the quality of vision in hearing-impaired children to compensate for the poor auditory sense.