Eye problems in deaf children: A case‐control study

Abstract

AbstractPurpose To compare the prevalence of refractive errors and amblyopia between deaf and normal childrenMethods In this case control study, cases were selected from deaf school children in Mashhad. The control group consisted of children with no hearing problem. The sampling was done utilizing the cluster sampling method. All of the samples underwent refraction, cover test and visual examinations.Results 254 children in case group and 506 children in control group were assessed. The mean spherical equivalent was 1.7±1.9 D in case group, which was significantly different from the control group (0.2±1.5) (p<0.001). The prevalence of hyperopia was 57.15 and 21.5% in case and control groups, respectively. But myopia was mostly seen in the control group (p=0.007). Mean cylinder was 0.65 ±1.3 D and 0.43±0.62 D in case and control groups, respectively. Logistic regression showed that the chance of Amblyopia was significantly greater in cases.Conclusion Comparing with children in the same ages, deaf children have much more eye problems; therefore there must be a possible relation between deafness and eye problems. Paying attention to assessing eye health in deaf children, may prevent them from adding eye problems to deaf difficulties.