Psychosocial impacts of strabismus in children

Abstract

Background: Strabismus has negative psychosocial impacts. However, assessment of the social and psychological implications of strabismus on the lives of children or their parents is neglected by many health practitioners. Objectives: The aim of this review is to identify the social and psychological influences of strabismus in children younger than 18 years of age and to assess the psychosocial outcome after corrective strabismus surgery. Methods: A literature search using Medline database for the years 1946 to 2015 was undertaken to explore the psychosocial implications of strabismus and the impact of surgical correction. The search was restricted to children younger than 18 years old. Articles published in other than English language were excluded. The first 50 articles were reviewed and 11 relevant studies were selected in the review. Results: The psychosocial implications of strabismus in children were investigated in eight studies. Perceptions of parents of children with strabismus were evaluated by some studies. Three studies examined the psychosocial outcome of corrective strabismus surgery. Strabismus was associated with negative psychosocial impacts and affects family relationships. Improvement in social and psychological status was demonstrated after surgical correction of strabismus. Conclusion: Children with strabismus should be routinely screened for negative psychosocial consequences of strabismus and offered medical referral to social and psychological services when warranted. Development of social or psychological malfunctioning in children justifies surgical intervention when other measures have failed .