Study of the psychosocial aspects of adolescent and adult strabismus

Objective To evaluate the perception of psychosocial difficulties due to strabismus and the effects of corrective surgery on adolescent and adult strabismus patients. Methods Investigative survey. The psychosocial problems of 56 patients (23 males, 33 females) were evaluated with an interview schedule before surgery. Patients were consulted 2-3 months after surgery to assess the psychological effects of the surgery. General information and detailed deviation data were also recorded. Data were analyzed with independent samples t tests, ANOVA and Pearson correlations.Results All 56 cases (17 cases of esotropia, 39 cases of exotropia) had .some psychosocial difficulties due to strabismus. Thirty-six patients (64%) had problems making friends and 61% of the patients had difficulty in maintaining good relationships with opposite-sex friends. Lack of self-confidence and problems with eye contact were reported in 82% and 93% of the patients, respectively. Seventy-four percent of the patients avoided public activities due to strabismus and 64% of patients planned to have corrective surgery to reconstructive binocular function. No significant difference was found in psychosocial functions due to sex, age, and types of strabismus and employment. There was no relationship between psychosocial function and age at time of surgery or deviation. Psychosocial functions, especially self-confidence, self-esteem and relationships with friends, improved after surgery. Most of the patients wished to be better informed about strabismus and be more comfortable about treatment during therapy. Conclusion Adolescent and adult strabismus patients have some difficulties with self-confidence, self-esteem and ability to interact in social situations. The psychosocial functioning of these patients improve after corrective surgery. Key words: Strabismus ;  Psychology,social;  Therapy,surgical;  Questionnaire