Intelligence Quotient (IQ) in Congenital Strabismus

Abbas Bagheri1, Mohammad Reza Fallahi, Shima Tamannaifard

  • 1Ophthalmic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Insights

Patients with congenital strabismus demonstrate lower intelligence quotient (IQ) scores compared to the general population. This finding suggests potential genetic or strabismus-related factors influencing cognitive development in these individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Congenital strabismus is a common ocular misalignment present from infancy.
  • The impact of congenital strabismus on cognitive function, specifically intelligence quotient (IQ), remains an area requiring further investigation.
  • Understanding potential cognitive deficits associated with strabismus is crucial for comprehensive patient care and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the intelligence quotient (IQ) in patients diagnosed with congenital strabismus.
  • To compare the IQ scores of patients with congenital strabismus to the established normal population mean.
  • To explore potential correlations between IQ and factors such as amblyopia, refractive error, and strabismus type.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study enrolled 109 consecutive patients with congenital strabismus scheduled for surgery over one year.
  • Patients underwent evaluation for verbal, performance, and total IQ scores using standardized assessments.
  • IQ scores were compared to the mean normal IQ of 100±15, with statistical analyses performed for various subgroups.

Main Results:

  • The study included 109 patients (mean age 18.4±10.5 years), with 80% having less than high-school education.
  • Mean verbal IQ was 87.2±19.6, performance IQ was 81±15.5, and total IQ was 83.5±18.3, all significantly lower than the normal population (P<0.01).
  • Lower IQ levels were observed in patients with coexisting amblyopia and alternate deviations; urban residents had higher IQs than rural residents (P=0.02).

Conclusions:

  • Patients with congenital strabismus exhibited significantly lower mean IQ scores compared to the normal population.
  • The observed cognitive differences may be attributed to underlying genetic factors or acquired causes secondary to the strabismic condition.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex relationship between congenital strabismus and cognitive development.
Abstract

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