Screening for Vision Problems, Including Usher's Syndrome, Among Hearing Impaired Students

The purpose of this article is to emphasize the importance of screening for vision problems and for Usher's Syndrome among hearing impaired students, and to provide an outline of a vision screening program in central Ohio. The screening program utilizes a dilated ophthalmological exam and an electro-retinogram (ERG), recorded with EEG skin electrodes, for the detection of vision problems and particularly Usher's Syndrome. The program also involves an interagency network of school, health care and support personnel to meet the needs and follow-up care of students identified with vision problems. The initial vision screening of 210 hearing impaired students, from residential and public school programs, revealed that 44 percent have significant vision problems, and that approximately 1 to 2 percent have Usher's Syndrome.