Purpose: To report ocular findings in a cohort of children requiring pediatric cochlear implant and to evaluate the usefulness of routine ophthalmologic examination in such children.
Methods: This was a prospective study of ophthalmologic assessment of 47 consecutive children aged 10 months to 12 years from the cochlear implant program of our hospital.
Results: All children underwent complete ocular assessment consisting of orthoptic and ophthalmo-logic examination, including cycloplegic refraction. A total of 18 children (38.3%) had some form of ocular abnormality, with the majority (14 patients, 29.8%) having refractive errors. Hypermetropia was the most common refractive error (21.3%), followed by astigmatism (8.5%). Strabismus was found in 6 patients, with esotropia being the most common type. Other ocular findings included ptosis (1 patient) and epicanthal folds (3 patients). During the follow-up period, 9 children were fitted with glasses, 3 underwent occlusion therapy, 2 underwent strabismus surgery, and 1 underwent ptosis surgery.
Conclusions: Thorough orthoptic and ophthalmologic examination is useful for ensuring optimal visual function in children undergoing cochlear implantation.