Study of the Psychosocial Aspects of Strabismus

Abstract

Purpose: To systematically evaluate the perception of psychosocial difficulties due to strabismus and the impact of corrective surgery in adolescents and young adults in India. Methods: Patients 1 5 to 25 years of age with childhood onset (≤ 5 years of age) of constant concomitant squint (≥ 30 prism diopters of deviation for distance) were included in the study. After a detailed orthoptic evaluation, demographic data of the patients and their parents were recorded. Postgraduate Institute Health Questionnaire N-2 (standardized in India) was administered to rule out neuroticism in the patients. Psychosocial problems faced by the patients were evaluated with a semistructured interview schedule. Patients were evaluated 3 months after surgery using a similar interview schedule to assess the psychological impact of surgery. Results: Eighty percent of both male and female patients had problems in their social life; 85% of the males and 75% of the females had personal problems due to squint. After surgery, a positive change in appearance was noticed by 97.5% and 95% noticed a change in self-esteem and selfconfidence. Conclusion: These patients had difficulties with self-image and interpersonal relationships, faced ridicule at school and work, and generally avoided activities that brought attention to their defect. Substantial changes were noticed in them after corrective surgery, and the differences in their scores before and after surgery were statistically significant. Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus 2002;39:203-208.

The perception of strabismus by children and adults

“…Adults fear that children with a squint could be made fun of by other children, could be less accepted by peers, looked at strangely, or have problems with their eyesight. Our results show that the opinion of adults is in good agreement with what is scientifically known about the psychosocial impact of strabismus, and that strabismus surgery is reconstructive and not cosmetic [1,7,13,16]. This study has the following limitations.…”

Negative social reaction to strabismus in school children ages 8-12 years

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Very often, these children are embarrassed about their condition, have difficulty making eye contact, and have problems with self-esteem. 9 Such negative impact appears to persist into adulthood and can adversely influence one's social skills, 10 psychological health, 11,12 and employability.…”

Auswirkung der Operation des konsekutiven Außenschielens beim Erwachsenen auf die Lebensqualität (psychosoziale Aspekte)

“…Die Veranderung des duBeren Erscheinungsbildes f ihrt wiederum zu sozialen bzw. sozial-wirtschaftlichen Schwierigkeiten, welche eine deutliche Abnahme der Lebensqualitat and Verminderung der Arbeitsmarktchancen bewirken konnen [3][4][5]. Die in die Studie aufgenommenen Patienten mit konsekutivem Schielen nach Korrektur des konkomitierenden Innenschielens berichteten nber Probleme beim Schlieffen neuer Freundschaften and Aufrechterhaltung von Beziehungen.…”