Abstract
Background: Research has shown that the prevalence of ocular abnormalities among people living with hearing loss is higher than the overall population of similar age categories.
Aim: The study was carried out to probe the visual status involving people living with hearing loss in school for the deaf and blind, Kano, Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design study, conducted in Tudun Maliki, which is the only established special need school for people living with hearing loss in Kano. The participants were already diagnosed with hearing loss or impairment and met the inclusion criteria. Eighty-one participants had a thorough eye examination in the school after both ethical clearance and approval from the ministry of health and the school board respectively, were
obtained.
Results: The participants were between the ages of 7 and 27 years, with a mean age of 14.72±3.92 years. Fifteen participants (18.5%) had moderate visual impairment. The Prevalence of refractive error was 77.7%, with astigmatism 31 (38.3%) as the highest type of refractive error. Thirty one (68.8%) participants had anterior segment abnormalities, while 14 (31.1%) had posterior segment abnormalities. The prevalence of visual impairment was19.7% among participants.
Conclusion: There are high proportions of poor visual status among students attending special need schools for the deaf in Tudun Maliki in Kano, consequently recommending for thorough eye examination for every young child diagnosed with hearing loss.
Keywords:
- visual status
- hearing loss
- visual impairment
- refractive error
- ocular disorder
How to Cite:
Okpo, E., Ishaq, J. O., Topah, E. K., Sanusi, S. U. & Mgbemena, E. O., (2026) “Visual Status among People Living with Hearing Loss in Tudun Maliki School for the Deaf and Blind, Kano, Nigeria”, African Eye Health and Vision Science Journal 1(1), 1-9. https://doi.org//goaj.5 (external link, opens in new tab).
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