الفهرس 
Visual and Auditory Abnormalities in Patients with Vitiligo Vulgaris: A Case Control Study
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Abstract
Background: Melanocytes, the key cells in vitiligo are of neuro-ectodermal origin and exist in several organs (e.g. liver, spleen, lung, heart and brain) besides the skin. Their dysfunction in the skin occurs in vitiligo and there is controversial evidence of involvement of other sites. Objective: The aim of the present work was to investigate the structure and/ or function of two of the organ systems containing melanocytes, the eyes and ears, to detect any impairment in non-segmental-vitiligo patients. Conclusion: Based on the present research, in a non segmental vitiligo patient population of higher skin types of various extent and both sexes, impairment of pigment cells in the visual apparatus could not be detected. On the other hand, auditory abnormalities are detected through audiometry in 13.3 %, without statistical significance. It is therefore of importance to guard against further otological damage by avoidance of high noise jobs and drugs with risk of oto- toxicity in these patients.