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Ocular and auditory abnormalities in patients with vitiligo: a case-control study

R Genedy1, S Assal2, A Gomaa3

  • 1Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
|March 25, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Vitiligo, a condition affecting melanocytes, is linked to higher rates of hearing loss and ocular abnormalities. This systemic disease impacts organs beyond the skin, potentially affecting vision and hearing.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Audiology

Background:

  • Vitiligo involves melanocyte destruction, affecting skin and other organs.
  • Melanocytes in skin, eyes, and ears share origins and physiology.
  • This study investigates vitiligo's link to eye and ear issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between vitiligo and ocular and auditory abnormalities.
  • To understand the systemic effects of vitiligo on sensory organs.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study included 40 vitiligo patients and 20 healthy controls.
  • Auditory assessments included otoscopy, immittance audiometry, pure tone audiometry, and otoacoustic emissions.
  • Ocular examinations involved visual acuity tests, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and optical coherence tomography.

Main Results:

  • Patients with vitiligo showed a significantly higher prevalence of hearing loss compared to controls.
  • Ocular abnormalities were also more common in vitiligo patients.
  • No significant difference in visual acuity was observed between groups.

Conclusions:

  • Vitiligo is a systemic disease affecting melanocyte function in organs like eyes and ears.
  • Melanocyte loss in the ear can lead to hearing impairment.
  • While ocular melanocytes aren't crucial for vision, vitiligo is associated with ocular abnormalities and hearing loss.

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