Onset of Ocular Abnormalities in Children with Hearing Loss.
Continued eye screening beyond age 5 years has a low yield in children with hearing loss.
Onset of Ocular Abnormalities in Children with Hearing Loss.
Children with hearing loss commonly are referred for eye examinations, but the optimal timing of asymptomatic ophthalmologic screening examinations is unclear.
We sought to determine the prevalence and onset of abnormal ocular findings in children with hearing loss.
Children with hearing loss seen for any indication by the pediatric ophthalmology practice at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia over a 15-year period.
Of 11 437 children with hearing loss, 2729 children showed sensorineural, 3399 children showed conductive, 1601 children showed mixed, and 3708 children showed unspecified types of loss.
Ocular abnormalities were identified in 2199 children (19.2%), including 1,339 children (12.7%) with possible syndromic association (e.g., retinal degeneration or signs of a genetic syndrome).
Ocular abnormalities in children with hearing loss may present throughout childhood and adolescence.
We recommend that asymptomatic children undergo an ophthalmology examination on diagnosis of hearing loss, 2 years later, and again at 5, 10, and 15 years of age, or earlier if visual symptoms develop or pediatrician vision screening identifies a concern.
When genetic testing is possible, an identified genetic cause may help to tailor the timing of ophthalmology examinations.