Refractive Errors and Visual Function in Normal Hearing and Hearing-Impaired Schoolchildren: A Comparative Study
Journal Title: Ophthalmology and Vision Science - Year 2016, Vol 1, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Visual impairment has been reported in children with other forms of disabilities. This paper sought to investigate the prevalence of refractive error, as well as compare some visual functions among hearing-impaired children and children whose hearing abilities are within the normal range. Method: This comparative study, which involved 251 children, was undertaken in two basic schools in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the participants. Visual acuity was recorded using LogMAR chart and contrast sensitivity was assessed with a standard Pelli-Robson contrast charts. The anterior segment and fundus were examined with an ophthalmoscope. Streak retinoscopy was used to determine the refractive status of the participants. Data was entered and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 23 and the level of significance was set at a p-value of 5%. Results and Discussion: The prevalence of refractive error in the 170 normal children was 8.8% while that of the 81 hearing-impaired children was 29.6%. In assessing the types of refractive errors within the groups, 50% of the hearing-impaired participants with refractive error had myopia (≥1.00D). Hyperopia (≥1.00D) was detected in 37.5% of the hearing-impaired population with refractive error while 12.5% of the same population had astigmatism (≥ ±1.00 D). In the hearing group, the following refractive errors were detected amongst the sampled population with refractive error: 46.59% had myopia (≥ 1.00D), 20.46% had hyperopia (≥ 1.00D) and 32.95% had astigmatism (≥ ±1.00 D). The study showed a weak positive association between visual acuity and the hearing status of participants (r=0.249, p=0.01) and an almost zero correlation between the contrast sensitivity and the hearing status of the participants (r= -0.01 p= 0.02). Conclusion: Persons with various degrees of hearing impairment, as opposed to persons with normal hearing status, are more likely to suffer one visual aberration or the other, which could negatively affective their ability to navigate through their daily activities. Hence, refractive errors and other visual dysfunctions among hearing-impaired children should be detected at the earliest and the appropriate management given.
Authors and Affiliations
Andrews Nartey, Aaron Asare, Michel Tchiakpe Pascal
Keywords
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