Visual impairment in severe and profound sensorineural deafness.

Abstract

The frequency of reversible and irreversible visual impairment was determined in children with severe and profound sensorineural deafness, as subnormal vision can adversely affect their educational and social development. Eighty three of 87 such children attending an audiology service were examined to assess the incidence and severity ofvisual impairment. Each child underwent a detailed ophthalmic assessment. The criteria for visual impairment were visual acuity <6/9 Snellen or equivalent and/or abnormal binocular vision. Forty five had a normal ophthalmic exaiination (54-2%). Twenty nine had visual impairment (34.90/%) and nine had ophthalmological abnormalities that did not interfere with vision (10.90/o).A higher proportion of children with risk factors for visual pathology demonstrated visual impairment than those in whom there were no risk factors. None the less, 44% ofvisual impairment was among patients without risk factors. The results underline the need to examine all children with severe and profound sensorineural deafness soon after diagnosis and indicate that children with multiple handicaps have a greater likelihood of visual impairment (11 of 14 cases). (Arch Dis Child 1995; 73: 53-56)

Ophthalmological screening of a paediatric cochlear implant population: a retrospective analysis and 12-year follow-up

“…33 At initial assessment, binocular vision was reduced and absent in 9.7 and 4.2%, respectively, similar to previously reported. 5 The incidence of manifest strabismus in our study (8.4%) was significantly higher than that of 4.6% found in a normal population. 6 During the follow-up period, 11 children (7.8%) underwent conservative or surgical correction.…”

“…The ophthalmological findings and aetiology of deafness are summarized in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. The criteria for defining a vision disorder as significant were obtained from the study on children with severe and profound sensorineural deafness by Armitage et al 5 Visual function was remarkably good in our patients with only 34 children (23.6%) having visual acuity worse than six out of nine patients. A total of 59 children (41.8%) had ocular abnormalities with refractive errors being the most common abnormality.…”

“…It is well documented that the incidence of visual problems is higher among the deaf than a corresponding population of hearing individuals. [4][5][6] At referral for cochlear implantation, the specialist service should arrange for the child to be seen by an orthoptist and an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. This assessment may need to be repeated at intervals after the diagnosis.…”

Low vision and blindness in children with multiple handicaps

“…Cerebral damage increases the occurrence of cortical visual impairment and other associated disabilities [18]. At present study, 49.9% of the children had MD.…”

“…Blohmé and Tornqvist [17] observed 25% of children with mental disability with optic atrophy and 40% with cortical visual impairment. Armitage [18] observed 34.9% of visual impaired children with neurosensorial deafness. At present study, we observe 68% of the population with physical disability, 25.2% with cognitive difficulties, 4.5% with hearing impairment and 9% with global delay of the development.…”