Ocular involvement in hearing-impaired children: A retrospective study

Hearing impairment in children is a major public health issue that may be associated with ophthalmological abnormalities, particularly in syndromic conditions, leading to a dual sensory deficit with significant functional consequences. 
This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of ocular involvement in hearing-impaired children and to highlight the importance of systematic ophthalmological screening. 
A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech between January 2014 and January 2023. A total of 688 children with hearing impairment were reviewed, and those under 15 years of age with at least moderate hearing loss were included. Ocular involvement was identified in 42 patients, corresponding to a prevalence of 6.1%. The mean age was 40 months, with a predominance of females. Hearing loss was bilateral in 78.5% of cases and predominantly sensorineural, with a mean threshold of 73 dB. Ocular involvement was bilateral in 75% of cases, with retinal abnormalities being the most frequent, followed by adnexal and iris involvement. Syndromic etiologies were identified in the majority of cases, particularly Waardenburg and Usher syndromes. 
Cochlear implantation was performed in selected patients, especially those with progressive visual impairment. 
Ocular involvement in hearing-impaired children is not uncommon and may have significant implications for functional development. Systematic ophthalmological screening is essential for early detection, identification of syndromic conditions, and optimization of management within a multidisciplinary approach.