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Decrease in the rate of esotropia surgery in the United Kingdom from 2000 to 2010
S Jacob Heng1, Caroline J MacEwen
1Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK.
Insights
Pediatric strabismus surgery rates declined between 2000 and 2006 in the UK, particularly for esotropia. However, these surgical rates appear to have stabilized from 2006 to 2010.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Previous documentation indicated a decrease in strabismus surgery for children in the UK.
- Understanding current trends and potential causative factors is crucial for pediatric eye care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ongoing incidence of strabismus surgery in children within the UK.
- To identify potential reasons behind observed changes in surgical rates.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of pediatric strabismus surgery data from Scotland, England, and Wales (2000-2010).
- Calculation of annual surgical incidence per 100,000 age-specific population (0-14 years).
- Inclusion of data on pediatric sight tests conducted by hospital eye services (1995-2004).
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in annual pediatric strabismus operations was observed in England and Scotland from 2000 to 2006.
- A decreasing trend in surgical incidence was noted in Wales during the same period.
- Surgical rates remained relatively stable between 2006 and 2010, with consistent numbers of pediatric sight tests.
Conclusions:
- Strabismus surgery rates in children, especially for esotropia, continued to decline until 2006.
- The incidence of strabismus surgery may have stabilized in the subsequent period (2006-2010).
Background/Aims:
A decrease in strabismus surgery in children has been previously documented in the UK. This study aims to examine whether the incidence of strabismus surgery in children is still decreasing and, if so, the possible reasons for this.
Methods:
Data on strabismus surgery from 2000 to 2010 in children in Scotland, England and Wales were obtained. Population statistics for the age group 0-14 years were obtained for England, Scotland and Wales. Annual incidence of strabismus surgery per 100 000 age-specific population was calculated. Data on the number of sight tests in children conducted by the hospital eye service from 1995 to 2004 in these regions were also obtained.
Results:
From 2000 to 2006, the annual incidence of paediatric strabismus operations decreased significantly in England (p=0.01) and Scotland (p=0.03), and showed a decreasing trend in Wales (p=0.06). Surgical rates, however, remained fairly constant from 2006 to 2010. The number of sight tests in children performed by the hospital eye service has remained fairly constant from 1995 to 2004 in England, Wales and Scotland.
Conclusions:
Rates of strabismus surgery in children, especially for esotropia, continued to decrease between 2000 and 2006, but may have stabilised from 2006 to 2010.
