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Ocular findings in children with congenital sensorineural hearing loss
Derek D Mafong1, Steven D Pletcher, Creig Hoyt
1Division of Otology, Neurotology, Skull Base Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, 94143-0342, USA.
Objective:
To examine the yield of ophthalmologic examination in the diagnostic workup of unexplained sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children.
Design:
Retrospective analysis of ophthalmologic findings in children with unilateral or bilateral SNHL between January 1998 and May 2000.
Setting:
Tertiary care university hospital.
Participants:
Children 18 years or younger presenting with unilateral or bilateral SNHL.
Outcome Measures:
Ophthalmologic findings.
Results:
Of the 49 patients with SNHL for whom ophthalmologic examination results were available, 15 (31%) had ocular abnormalities. Hyperopia was the most common abnormality, present in 7 patients (46%). Myopia was found in 2 patients (13%) and astigmatism in 1 (2%). Two other patients had multiple abnormalities: one with hyperopia and astigmatism and the other with myopia and astigmatism. The remaining 4 patients had the following abnormalities: Lisch nodules, esotropia, ptosis, and allergic conjunctivitis. As a result of ophthalmologic examination, 5 interventions were performed in 4 children: 2 children received prescription lenses; 2 children underwent surgery; and 1 child was treated with eyedrops. Ophthalmologic examination in 2 children contributed to the diagnosis of a hearing loss syndrome.
Conclusion:
In children with SNHL, ophthalmologic examination is useful in evaluating visual acuity and determining or confirming the cause of hearing impairment.