Ocular survey of deaf-mute children

Through routine ocular examination of 279 Deaf-mute students in Lie De School in Guangzhou in 1988 by visual chart, Yu Zi Ping Pseudoisochromatic plate, portable slit lamp and direct ophthalmoscope, 100 persons (35.8%) were found to have ocular defects in one or both eyes. The incidence of ocular defects was higher than that of the normal populations. Among the ocular abnormalities, fundus defects occupied 28.6%, error of refraction, 17.9%. 17.9% of the eyes had the vision lower than 1.0 and the error of refraction was the main cause. Cases of hereditary syndromes were found: Usher syndrome, 2 cases; Goldenhar syndromes, 2 cases (brother and sister); Waardenburg syndrome, 1 case; von Recklinghausen's syndrome, 1 case. In comparing with the other articles, the ocular defect, visual disturbance, error of refraction, way of examination as well as types and characteristics of some syndromes were briefly discussed. The importance of special examinations for diagnosis, early correction of refractive error, avoidance of consanguineal marriage among deaf-mutes were emphasized.