Visual Field Abnormalities among Adolescent Boys with Hearing Impairments

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the visual field (VF) categorizations (based on the severity of VF defects) between adolescent boys with hearing impairments and those with normal hearing. This cross-sectional study involved the evaluation of the VF of ۶۴ adolescent boys with hearing impairments and ۶۸ age-matched boys with normal hearing at high schools in Tehran, Iran, in ۲۰۱۳. All subjects had an intelligence quotient (IQ) > ۷۰. The hearing impairments were classified based on severity and time of onset. Participants underwent a complete eye examination, and the VFs were investigated using automated perimetry with a Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer. This device was used to determine their foveal threshold (FT), mean deviation (MD), and Glaucoma Hemifield Test (GHT) results. Most (۵۰%) of the boys with hearing impairments had profound hearing impairments. There was no significant between-group difference in age (P = ۰.۴۹) or IQ (P = ۰.۱۳). There was no between-group difference in the corrected distance visual acuity (P = ۰.۱۸۳). According to the FT, MD, and GHT results, the percentage of boys with abnormal VFs in the hearing impairment group was significantly greater than that in the normal hearing group: ۴۰.۶% vs. ۲۲.۱%, ۵۹.۴% vs. ۱۹.۱%, and ۳۱.۲% vs. ۸.۸%, respectively (P < ۰.۰۰۰۱). The mean MD in the hearing impairment group was significantly worse than that in the normal hearing group (-۰.۷۹ ± ۲.۰۴ and -۴.۶۱ ± ۶.۵۲ dB, respectively, P < ۰.۰۰۰۱), and the mean FT was also significantly worse (۳۸.۹۷ ± ۱.۶۶ vs. ۳۵.۳۰ ± ۱.۴۳ dB, respectively, P <۰.۰۰۰۱). Moreover, there was a significant between-group difference in the GHT results (P < ۰.۰۰۰۱). Thus, there were higher percentages of boys with VF abnormalities and higher mean MD, FT, and GHT results among those with hearing impairments compared to those with normal hearing. These findings emphasize the need for detailed VF assessments for patients with hearing impairments.Â