Evidence of Diplopia in Children's Headache Drawings Helps to Differentiate Pseudotumor Cerebri From Migraine.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether children's headache drawings can distinguish between pseudotumor cerebri and migraine. BACKGROUND: Headache features associated with pseudotumor cerebri (pseudotumor; idiopathic intracranial hypertension) are nonspecific and are difficult to distinguish clinically from migraines. Children's headache drawings have a high predictive value for migraine versus nonmigraine headaches. We hypothesized that drawings could help to differentiate pediatric headaches due to pseudotumor cerebri from those associated with migraines. METHODS: Children aged six to 18 years old attending university hospital pediatric neurology clinics were asked to draw a picture of how their headache feels. From our database of children's headache drawings, pictures by children with clinically diagnosed pseudotumor were compared with migraine drawings. RESULTS: Headache drawings of 21 children (16 females) with pseudotumor were compared with those of 518 children with migraine. Pseudotumor drawings depicted a variety of symptoms including pounding pain (n = 11), pressure-like pain (n = 3), photophobia (3), dizziness (1), and recumbency (1). Severe pain indicators included hammers, bombs, anvil, and vise grip. Positive visual phenomena included scintillations, scotomata, or blurring (n = 8). Negative visual phenomena included field defects (n = 2). Pseudotumor drawings were similar to migraine drawings except that 6 of 21 pseudotumor drawings (28.6%) depicted diplopia (crossed eyes, double images), whereas only three of 518 migraine drawings (0.6%) depicted diplopia (P < 0.000001). CONCLUSIONS: Diplopia was depicted in a significantly higher percentage of pseudotumor drawings than migraine drawings. In all other respects, headache drawings by children with pseudotumor cerebri were similar to those drawn by children with migraine.

Preoperative evaluation and surgical technique of functional and cosmetic aspects in zygomatic complex fracture patients.

The zygomatico-maxillary complex functions as the principle buttress of the face and is the cornerstone to an individual’s aesthetic appearance. Its fracture not only creates cosmetic deformities owing to its position and facial contour, but can also cause disruption of ocular and mandibular functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality, efficacy and impact of internal fixation of zygomatic complex fractures on functional and cosmetic outcomes. A prospective study was carried out on 100 patients who were divided according to the classification and the severity of injury. Subjective evaluation was submitted based on the patient’s perception of signs and symptoms in the preoperative and postoperative periods. Intraoperative and postoperative assessment of bone reduction quality was made according to the type of the fracture and related difficulties; also, the difference between these groups was observed as functional and esthetic outcome. To optimize the treatment of zygomatic bone fractures, a pre-designed questionnaire was used for subjective evaluation of symptoms and treatment outcome. In 70% of cases, ophthalmologic consultation was taken and was most common in type VII fractures (100% cases). Neurosensory disturbance was the most common finding (60%), followed by diplopia (56R%), pain upon mouth opening (54%) and malar depression (50%). Out of all possible 400 fracture sites in 100 patients of zygomatic complex fractures, 266 (66.5%) fractures were detected by clinical examination, in contrast to 330 (82.5%) on radiological examination, which were highest at zygomatic-maxillary buttress (93%) followed by infraorbital rim (91%) and almost equal among fronto-zygomatic site (72%) and zygomatic arch (74%). The scores from the questionnaire for annoyance were significantly higher for paraesthesia (23%) than for trismus (10%), pain (8.5%), or deformity (8.25%). Residual deformity and pain significantly influenced the total satisfaction. Conclusively, there are many treatment modalities available for zygomatic complex fractures, and the preferred methods should be selected on the basis of fracture type, fracture severity, pre-operative signs and symptoms. Regarding the requirements of fracture site exposure and actual fixation, one priority should be to minimize postoperative complications, morbidity and residual deformities.

Development of a Persian Version of the Adult Strabismus Questionnaire and Evaluating the Effect of Strabismus Surgery on Health-Related Quality of Life.

PURPOSE: To develop a Persian version of the Adult Strabismus Questionnaire (AS-20) and use the new questionnaire to evaluate the effect of strabismus surgery on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHODS: The Persian version of the AS-20 was developed with the help of Beaton and colleagues' guidelines. The reliability of the final version was tested with the test-retest and internal consistency methods. The construct and criterion (concurrent) validity were also tested for the questionnaire. Then, 112 patients with strabismus completed the questionnaire 1 week before and 3 months after strabismus surgery. RESULTS: The Persian version showed high reliability and validity. The patients with preoperative diplopia had significantly poorer median preoperative total and functional scores than the patients without preoperative diplopia (p=0.04 and 0.009, respectively). In the cases with and without diplopia, the median total, psychosocial, and functional postoperative scores were significantly better than preoperative scores (p=0.01, 0.01, and 0.028, respectively, in diplopic cases, and p<0.0001 for all scores in non-diplopic cases). The females had significantly poorer median preoperative total, psychosocial, and functional scores (p=0.001, 0.02, and 0.0001, respectively) and more postoperative total, psychosocial, and functional score improvement than males (p=0.004, 0.003, and 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our version might be appropriate for evaluating HRQOL of the patients with strabismus. The significant increase in the total and subscale scores after strabismus surgery showed the importance of strabismus surgery in improving HRQOL of the patients, especially in psychosocial aspects. The strabismus surgery might have a greater benefit in improving HRQOL of the female patients.

Comparison of the Adult Strabismus Quality of Life Questionnaire (AS-20) with the Amblyopia and Strabismus Questionnaire (ASQE) among adults with strabismus who seek medical care in China.

BACKGROUND: The impact of strabismus on visual function, self-image, self-esteem, and social interactions might decrease health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties and clinical applications of two strabismus-specific HRQoL questionnaires in the cultural context of China. METHODS: The Chinese versions of the Adult Strabismus Quality of Life Questionnaire (AS-20) and the Amblyopia and Strabismus Questionnaire (ASQE) were self-administered to 304 adults with strabismus. The Cronbach's α coefficient was calculated to assess the internal consistency reliability. The criterion-related validity was identified by exploring Spearman's correlation with the most widely used vision-specific quality of life questionnaire NEI-VFQ-25. One-way ANOVA was employed to examine the differences in the quality of life of strabismus patients with visually normal adults and with other eye diseases patients. RESULTS: Significantly positive correlations with NEI-VFQ-25 were shown in both scales (r = 0.21 - 0.44, p <0.05, p <0.01). Both scales could distinguish individuals with strabismus from visually normal adults (p <0.001) and adults with other eye diseases (p <0.001). The overall Cronbach's α value were 0.91 for the AS-20 and 0.89 for the ASQE; and for the subscales, the α value ranged from 0.68 to 0.90. CONCLUSION: This was the first cross-sectional study to compare the psychometric properties of two strabismus-targeted questionnaires, AS-20 and ASQE in the context of Chinese culture. Both AS-20 and ASQE showed satisfactory and comparable properties for measuring HRQoL in strabismus patients.

Improvement in specific function-related quality-of-life concerns after strabismus surgery in nondiplopic adults.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported improvement in psychosocial scores after strabismus surgery on the patient-derived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) Adult Strabismus 20 (AS-20) questionnaire in adults with nondiplopic strabismus. Unexpectedly, we also found improvement in the function domain. The aim of the present study was to identify which specific aspects of function-related quality of life improved postoperatively. METHODS: We retrospectively identified non diplopic adult patients with a history of childhood onset strabismus who underwent surgery and who had preoperative and 1-year postoperative AS-20 questionnaires (scored from 0 [worst] to 100 [best]). Change in scores for each item was evaluated using signed-rank tests. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients were included. Of the 10 function-related AS-20 items, 9 showed significant mean improvement postoperatively (improvement ranged from 12.5 to 32.5 points, all P < 0.05). Rasch-derived mean scores improved in both reading function and general function domains (71.0 to 86.5 and 66.4 to 87.5, respectively; both P < 0.0001). Specific areas of function-related benefit were concentration, depth perception, hobbies, strain, reading, stress, and worry. CONCLUSIONS: We found specific function-related quality of life benefits after strabismus surgery in nondiplopic adult patients, particularly those with childhood onset strabismus.

Successful treatment of diplopia with prism improves health-related quality of life.

PURPOSE: To report change in strabismus-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following treatment with prism. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with diplopia (median age 63, range 14-84 years) completed the Adult Strabismus-20 questionnaire (100-0, best to worst HRQOL) and a diplopia questionnaire in a clinical practice before prism and in prism correction. Before prism, diplopia was "sometimes" or worse for reading and/or straight-ahead distance. Prism treatment success was defined as diplopia rated "never" or "rarely" on the diplopia questionnaire for reading and straight-ahead distance. Failure was defined as worsening or no change in diplopia. For both successes and failures, mean Adult Strabismus-20 scores were compared before prism and in prism correction. Each of the 4 Adult Strabismus-20 domains (self-perception, interactions, reading function, and general function) was analyzed separately. RESULTS: Twenty-three of 34 (68%) were successes and 11 (32%) were failures. For successes, reading function improved from 57 ± 27 (SD) before prism to 69 ± 27 in-prism correction (difference 12 ± 20, 95% CI 3.2-20.8, P = .02) and general function improved from 66 ± 25 to 80 ± 18 (difference 14 ± 22, 95% CI 5.0-23.6, P = .003). Self-perception and interaction domains remained unchanged (P > .2). For failures there was no significant change in Adult Strabismus-20 score on any domain (P > .4). CONCLUSIONS: Successful correction of diplopia with prism is associated with improvement in strabismus-specific HRQOL, specifically reading function and general function.

The impact of strabismus on quality of life in adults with and without diplopia: a systematic review.

Strabismus affects approximately 4% of the adult population and can cause substantial physical disturbance and changes to appearance. This article aims to examine the impact of strabismus in adults both with and without diplopia, focusing primarily on quality of life (QoL). We highlight the value of measuring QoL, assess the ways in which it can be measured, and the impact the disease, diplopia, and surgery have on the patient. QoL differs for strabismus patients based on their diplopia status. Patients with diplopia tend to have more concerns relating to functional QoL, whereas patients without diplopia have primarily psychosocial concerns. Two diplopia-specific questionnaires have been designed to assess QoL and the perceived severity of symptoms. Further research is needed to identify the variables which influence QoL so that appropriate support can be given to all patients with strabismus to improve their QoL.

Visual quality of life in veterans with blast-induced traumatic brain injury.

IMPORTANCE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important cause of morbidity worldwide, with increasing awareness of the role of blast exposure in military and civilian casualties. Visual problems have been reported in TBI and may affect functioning and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire and Neuro-Ophthalmic Supplement for utility in assessing the effect of blast exposure on perceived visual functioning among veterans with TBI. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Observational cohort study from a tertiary care Veterans Health Administration hospital. Reported visual quality of life was compared with existing norms, and relationships between perceived visual quality and ocular injury, diplopia, visual performance, and blast exposure characteristics were examined. Participants included inpatients with blast-induced TBI who underwent baseline examination between December 7, 2006, and January 11, 2012, at a multiple-trauma rehabilitation center and who had at least 1 intact eye and were able to undergo psychometric testing and ocular examination. Among 64 sequentially eligible patients, 60 completed visual quality testing, 1 declined study participation, and 3 were evaluated prior to inclusion of visual quality testing in the protocol. Thirty-nine patients returned for outpatient follow-up, with a median test-retest interval of 11 months. EXPOSURE: Combat blast exposure with documented TBI. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Composite and subscale scores on the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire and Neuro-Ophthalmic Supplement. RESULTS: Both tests had high test-retest reliability. Blast-exposed veterans reported significantly poorer visual quality compared with healthy samples and some patient samples with known eye disease. Scores tended to be worse for participants with identified visual performance deficits (poorer visual acuity or spatial contrast sensitivity, visual field depression or defects). Scores were not related to the extent of ocular injury or to blast exposure characteristics such as use of protective eyewear or TBI severity level. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Individuals with blast-induced TBI reliably completed both tests and reported significant decrements in their subjective visual experiences. Measures of subjective visual quality may be useful to identify patients needing additional visual or neurologic evaluation and to monitor the effect of visual rehabilitation on patients with blast-related visual disabilities.

Development and evaluation of a Chinese version of the Adult Strabismus Questionnaire (AS-20).

PURPOSE: The 20-item Adult Strabismus Quality of Life Questionnaire (AS-20) was developed in the United States to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of adult patients with strabismus. At present, no questionnaire is available for assessing HRQOL specifically for adult patients with strabismus in China. A Chinese version of the AS-20 (CAS-20) was developed and its reliability and validity evaluated in adult patients with strabismus in China. METHODS: The AS-20 was translated into Chinese. A total of 102 adults with strabismus and 102 visually healthy adult controls were recruited to answer the 5-level Likert items of the CAS-20. Demographic (age and sex) and clinical data of the recruited subjects were documented. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, correlations between items and their respective subscale, and construct validity were evaluated to assess questionnaire reliability and validity. RESULTS: The number of responses for each item was calculated, as well as individual items' correlation with their respective subscale. Cronbach's α coefficient for the two subscales and the CAS-20 were satisfactory (0.846, 0.819, 0.883, respectively). The intra-class correlation coefficient for test-retest reliability was 0.723-0.862. Patients with strabismus had significantly lower scores on the CAS-20 than controls. Factor analysis identified six principal factors, and could be grouped into two subscales. The results supported the construct validity of the CAS-20. CONCLUSION: The CAS-20 presented satisfactory reliability and validity in our study. It is suggested that the questionnaire can be applied in clinical trials or research for Chinese patients with strabismus.

Mapping the "forbidden zone" near and away from the fixation point.

Burt and Julesz modified the classical view of Panum's fusional area by incorporating the concept of the disparity gradient. They found that an area of double vision, described as the forbidden zone for single vision, is present when the angular separation between two objects is small. However, Krol and van de Grind argued that Burt and Julesz's finding could be explained by the classical theories (specifically Ogle, 1932 JOSA 22 664-728) in which the probability for fusion is a function of peripheral angle and disparity magnitude. We examined whether a forbidden zone can be specified within Ogle's experimental space. We found forbidden zones (a) when fixation was placed on one of the two objects and (b) when fixation was placed away from both objects. Krol and van de Grind's arguments do not easily explain the results in (b). The size of the forbidden zones was less than the predicted disparity gradient of unity that Burt and Julesz found in their experiment.

Medically unexplained visual symptoms in children and adolescents: an indicator of abuse or adversity?

PURPOSE: To highlight abuse and adversity in childhood as an association of medically unexplained symptoms. METHODS: Case series. RESULTS: Two young adults and one child (all female) are described with medically unexplained impaired vision and diplopia, which on further investigation were found to be associated with abuse or adversity, and in one case was followed by the development of further unexplained symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmologists dealing with children and young people need to ensure that child abuse and adversity are considered as potential underlying associations when dealing with patients with medically unexplained symptoms.

[Muscle weakness and tolerance of low doses of rocuronium in healthy awake volunteers breathing spontaneously]. / Debilidad muscular y tolerancia de dosis bajas de rocuronio en voluntarios sanos despiertos y con respiración espontánea.

OBJECTIVES: To study muscle weakness caused by low doses of rocuronium and rocuronium intolerance in healthy volunteers, with the general aim of producing brief skeletal-muscle relaxation that would have potential applications in clinical situations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After receiving authorization from the clinical research ethics committee of our hospital, we set out to study the effects on subjective and objective muscle strength of injecting 3 doses of rocuronium (0.1 mg x kg(-1), 0.05 mg x kg(-2), and 0.075 mg x kg(-1)) in healthy volunteers, each dose on a different day. Objective muscle strength was measured using a hand dynamometer. We also recorded the development of expected adverse effects (diplopia, dysarthria, and dysphagia). RESULTS: Five volunteers (all authors) were studied. In the first subject, the dose of 0.1 mg x kg(-1) of rocuronium was unsatisfactory because it was too strong, causing extreme skeletal-muscle weakness and discomfort due to diplopia, dysarthria, and dysphagia. The dose of 0.05 mg x kg(-1) was well tolerated but caused no subjective feeling of weakness or any effect measurable on dynamometry. These doses were not administered to the other subjects. In the 4 remaining volunteers, the dose of 0.075 mg x kg(-1) caused a brief feeling of muscle weakness that was considered to be acceptable, though the findings were compromised by 2 technically defective baseline dynamometry readings. The volunteers also reported brief, mild discomfort, principally due to dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: Doses of 0.075 mg x kg(-1) of rocuronium in healthy awake subjects breathing spontaneously are acceptably tolerated and cause brief muscle weakness that may be of use in situations that require skeletal muscle relaxation at specific moments.

Debilidad muscular y tolerancia de dosis bajas de rocuronio en voluntarios sanos despiertos y con respiración espontánea / Muscle weakness and tolerance of low doses of rocuronium in healthy awake volunteers breathing spontaneously

OBJETIVOS: Investigar en voluntarios sanos la debilidadmuscular producida por dosis bajas de rocuronio ysu tolerancia, con la idea general de producir una breverelajación muscular esquelética potencialmente aplicableen situaciones clínicas.PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Tras autorización del Comitéde Ética e Investigación Clínica de nuestro hospital, nospropusimos estudiar en voluntarios sanos los efectos detres dosis de rocuronio (0,1, 0,05 ó 0,075mg Kg-1), administradasen diferentes días, sobre la fuerza muscular anivel subjetivo y objetivo (medida con un dinamómetrode puño), y la aparición de efectos adversos previstos(diplopia, disartria, disfagia).RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron cinco voluntarios. En elprimer sujeto la dosis de 0,1 mg Kg-1 de rocuronio resultóinadecuada por exceso de efecto (debilidad extrema dela musculatura esquelética; experiencia desagradablepor diplopia, disartria y disfagia) y la dosis de 0,05 mgKg-1 fue bien tolerada, pero sin sensación de debilidad niefectos apreciables sobre la dinamometría. Estas dosdosis no se administraron al resto de sujetos. En losotros cuatro voluntarios, la dosis de 0,075 mg Kg-1 produjouna breve sensación de debilidad muscular consideradaaceptable (aunque los resultados estuvieroninterferidos por dos dinamometrías basales deficientestécnicamente), con leve y breve sensación desagradable(por disfagia principalmente).CONCLUSIONES: Dosis de rocuronio de 0,075 mg Kg-1en sujetos sanos conscientes y respiración espontáneason aceptablemente toleradas y producen un breve estadode debilidad muscular que podría ser de utilidad ensituaciones que precisen momentos puntuales de relajaciónmuscular esquelética(AU)

OBJETIVES: To study muscle weakness caused by lowdoses of rocuronium and rocuronium intolerance inhealthy volunteers, with the general aim of producingbrief skeletal-muscle relaxation that would havepotential applications in clinical situations.PATIENTS AND METHODS: After receiving authorizationfrom the clinical research ethics committee of ourhospital, we set out to study the effects on subjective andobjective muscle strength of injecting 3 doses ofrocuronium (0.1 mg.kg-1, 0.05 mg.kg-1, and 0.075 mg.kg-1)in healthy volunteers, each dose on a different day.Objective muscle strength was measured using a handdynamometer. We also recorded the development ofexpected adverse effects (diplopia, dysarthria, anddysphagia).RESULTS: Five volunteers (all authors) were studied.In the first subject, the dose of 0.1 mg.kg-1 of rocuroniumwas unsatisfactory because it was too strong, causingextreme skeletal-muscle weakness and discomfort due todiplopia, dysarthria, and dysphagia. The dose of 0.05mg.kg-1 was well tolerated but caused no subjectivefeeling of weakness or any effect measurable ondynamometry. These doses were not administered to theother subjects. In the 4 remaining volunteers, the dose of0.075 mg.kg-1 caused a brief feeling of muscle weaknessthat was considered to be acceptable, though thefindings were compromised by 2 technically defectivebaseline dynamometry readings. The volunteers alsoreported brief, mild discomfort, principally due todysphagia.CONCLUSIONS: Doses of 0.075 mg.kg-1 of rocuronium inhealthy awake subjects breathing spontaneously areacceptably tolerated and cause brief muscle weaknessthat may be of use in situations that require skeletalmuscle relaxation at specific moments(AU)

Development of a quality-of-life questionnaire for adults with strabismus.

PURPOSE: We report the development of a patient-derived, health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) questionnaire for adults with strabismus. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-nine patients with strabismus in a first phase, and 32 patients with strabismus, 18 patients with other eye diseases, and 13 visually normal adults in a second phase. METHODS: Individual patient interviews generated 181 questionnaire items. For item reduction, we asked 29 patients with strabismus to complete the 181-item questionnaire, analyzed responses, and performed factor analysis. Two prominent factors were identified, and the 10 items with the highest correlation with each factor were selected. The final 20-item questionnaire (10 psychosocial items and 10 function items) was administered to an additional 32 patients with strabismus (22 with diplopia, 10 without diplopia), 13 visually normal adults, and 18 patients with other eye diseases. A 5-point Likert-type scale was used for responses (never = 100, rarely = 75, sometimes = 50, often = 25, and always = 0). Median overall questionnaire scores and psychosocial and function subscale scores, ranging from 0 (worst HRQOL) to 100 (best HRQOL), were compared across groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The HRQOL questionnaire response scores. RESULTS: Median overall scores were statistically significantly lower (worse quality of life) for patients with strabismus (56) compared with visually normal adults (95; P<0.001) and patients with other eye diseases (86; P<0.001). Median scores on the psychosocial subscale were significantly lower for strabismus patients (69) compared with visually normal adults (99; P<0.001) and patients with other eye diseases (94; P<0.001). For the function subscale, median scores were again significantly lower for strabismus patients (43) compared with visually normal adults (91; P<0.001) and patients with other eye diseases (78; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a 20-item, patient-derived, HRQOL questionnaire specific for adults with strabismus, with subscales to assess psychosocial and function concerns. This 20-item, condition-specific questionnaire will be useful for assessing HRQOL in individual strabismus patients and also as an outcome measure for clinical trials. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

The psychosocial aspects of strabismus in teenagers and adults and the impact of surgical correction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of surgical correction of strabismus on psychosocial parameters in teenagers and adults with a history of childhood-onset strabismus. METHODS: Consecutive patients older than 15 years of age who underwent strabismus surgery between 1997 and 2002 were contacted to complete a telephone questionnaire about their preoperative and postoperative psychosocial experiences. Formulas using the questionnaire answers were calculated to estimate the impact of strabismus on self-esteem, self-confidence, self-assessment of intelligence, effect on employment options, and interpersonal relationships preoperatively and to calculate the change in these parameters postoperatively. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight patients were identified with childhood-onset strabismus. Eighty-six percent (110/128) of patients reported that the strabismus caused them embarrassment preoperatively. These patients also reported trouble making eye contact (114/128) and developing mannerisms to camouflage their strabismus (96/128). The calculated preoperative self-esteem, self-confidence, and perceived intelligence scores were significantly improved following strabismus surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Strabismus surgery to restore ocular alignment has a significant effect on patients' self-esteem and self-confidence in patients with childhood-onset strabismus.

The effects of strabismus on quality of life in adults.

PURPOSE: As a first step in the development of a health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instrument, we conducted in-depth interviews to identify the specific concerns of adults with strabismus. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: Thirty adults with strabismus, 17 with diplopia, and 13 without were recruited. Individual interviews, using 11 open-ended questions, were audiotaped, transcribed, and transcripts reviewed independently by three investigators. Phrases regarding how strabismus affected everyday life were grouped into topic areas and the frequency of each topic analyzed for subjects with and without diplopia. RESULTS: A total of 1,508 phrases were extracted: 207 (14%) of 1,508 were excluded because they did not pertain to HRQOL. From the remaining 1,301 phrases, 48 topic areas were apparent. For patients with diplopia, the most frequently occurring topics were: nonspecific negative feeling (15/17; 88%) ("really hard"); general disability (15/17; 88%) ("affects everything"); and driving (14/17; 82%). In those without diplopia, the most frequently mentioned topics were appearance to others (12/13; 92%) ("people notice my eyes") followed by problems with eye contact (10/13; 77%) and interpersonal relationships (10/13; 77%). Of the topics that were common to both groups (n = 42), two of the most frequent were driving and nonspecific negative feeling. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple individual interviews revealed many topics that negatively affect quality of life in patients with strabismus. The frequency and type of concerns confirm the importance of HRQOL assessment as an important aspect of strabismus management.

Ocular psychiatric disorders in maxillofacial injuries. Two case reports and a review of psychogenic ocular symptoms.

Ocular signs and symptoms associated with facial trauma can be a manifestation of an underlying psychiatric disorder which may exist prior to the traumatic incident, or even develop as a result of the stressful traumatic experience in a psychologically vulnerable individual. Two such cases are presented. A brief review of psychogenic ocular symptoms as well as suggestions for evaluation and treatment are discussed.