What is usher syndrome
The leading genetic cause of combined deafness and blindness
THERE ARE 3 TYPES OF USHER SYNDROME
Type 1
Hearing: Profound deafness in both ears from birth
Vision: Decreased night vision before age 10. Then a gradual loss of peripheral vision
Balance: Balance problems from birth
Type 2
Hearing: Moderate to severe hearing loss from birth
Vision: Decreased night vision begins in late childhood or teens. Then a gradual loss of peripheral vision
Balance: Normal
Type 3
Hearing: Normal at birth; progressive loss in childhood or early teens
Vision: Varies in severity; night vision problems begin in teens, then a gradual loss of peripheral vision
Balance: Normal to near normal; chance of later problems
WHAT CAUSES USHER SYNDROME?
Usher syndrome is inherited, which means that it is passed from parents to a child through genes. It is a recessive gene, which means the condition only occurs when the child inherits two copies of the gene, one from each parent.
You can help
The Usher Syndrome Society is dedicated to funding critical hearing and vision research to find treatments and a cure for Usher syndrome.