Children with strabismus experience a negative impact on their emotional and social quality of life

Children with strabismus experience a negative impact on their emotional and social quality of life, according to the findings of a Portuguese study presented at the 3rd World Congress of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus in Barcelona.

Strabismus is relatively common among Portuguese children, with a prevalence of approximately four per cent, delegates heard. It is known to have a marked psychological impact on affected children, with increased risk of the development of mental illness in adulthood, higher rates of depression and social phobia, and low levels of self-esteem, the poster study presenter Sandra Barros noted.

The study authors set out to determine the health-related quality of life impact on Portuguese children with strabismus, using validated methods under the areas of physical, emotional, social and education.

In the study, children with strabismus scored worse in all but physical scores. Children with larger deviations (>1,000P) tended to have worse scores, and treatment-naïve children scored consistently worse compared to those who had previously undergone treatment (surgery/Botox).

She noted that, as well as improving visual outcomes, corrective surgery can also improve quality of life. She stressed, however, that more research is needed, given the small scale of the study and deviations.

There were three Portuguese strabismus-related studies presented at the interactive poster session, which took place in Pod 3 in the Poster Village. The informal setting afforded a relaxed atmosphere where questions and collaborative contributions were welcomed. Studies from the UK, Italy, India and Egypt were also presented.