Posters

The psychosocial improvement after strabismus surgery in Iranian patients

Poster Details

First Author: A.Shojaei Baghini IRAN

Co Author(s):    M. Aslani   K. Sheibani           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To compare the psychosocial status before and after successful strabismus surgery on Iranian strabismic patients.

Setting:

Basir Eye Clinic, Tehran, Iran.

Methods:

One hundred twenty-four strabismic patients, older than 15 years were evaluated between 2009 and 2010. They were asked to complete a questionnaire about their psychosocial experiences, before and three months after successful strabismus surgery. Effects of strabismus on self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-assessment of intelligence, employment and interpersonal relationships were compared.

Results:

Fifty-six percent of patients had problems in adjusting to society, and 71% had developed a mannerism to camouflage their misalignment before surgery. The preoperative scores of self-esteem, self-confidence, and interpersonal relationship were 4.33±2.07, 4.23±2.53 and 6.06±2.33 which changed to 8.33±3.02, 7.29±2.89 and 6.72±3.17 after surgery, respectively (p<0.001 for all of values). More esotropic patients reported to be discriminated against compared to exotropic patients. Postoperatively, 79% of patients reported improvements in their ability to meet new people, and 82% in interpersonal relationships. Scores of self-confidence and self-esteem increased up to three and four units, respectively (p<0.001 for both values).

Conclusions:

Patients with strabismus have psychosocial problems and successful strabismus surgery improves their psychosocial status. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE