Quality of Life after Strabismus Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of strabismus surgery on the quality of life by performing a quality of life-related health survey. METHODS: This study was comprised of 213 patients (163 patients under 15 years of age, and 50 patients over 15 years of age). After strabismus surgery, patients were asked to complete a standardized confidential questionnaire which evaluated the quality of life and specific concerns related to the surgery. RESULTS: There was a significant change in the quality of life after strabismus surgery in both groups. No patient reported decreased quality of life after the surgery. Significant score improvement related to the questions designed to evaluate vision, stereopsis, diplopia and social relation was observed (p < 0.05). The number of surgeries did not affect the quality of life postoperatively. Multivariate regression analysis showed that change in the quality of life had significant correlation with social relationships (in both groups) and income (only in patients under 15 years of age). Surgery cost was the most common burden to strabismus patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that strabismus surgery significantly improves quality of life. Scores evaluating the change in quality of life did show significant correlation with scores evaluating social relationships and income.