Factors Affecting the Perception of Strabismus Among Pediatric Ophthalmologists

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Strabismus Surgery

Background:

• Strabismus, or eye misalignment, can impact visual development and quality of life.
• Determining the urgency for surgical intervention is crucial for optimal patient outcomes.
• Factors influencing surgical urgency perception require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors affecting the perceived urgency of strabismus surgery.
• Specifically investigate the roles of patient gender, degree of strabismus, and direction of deviation.

Main Methods:

• An electronic survey was distributed to members of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS).
• Respondents evaluated and ranked digital images of adults with varying degrees of strabismus based on perceived surgical urgency.
• Demographic information of the respondents was also collected.

Main Results:

• A positive correlation was observed between the size of the strabismus deviation and the perceived urgency for treatment.
• Male patients were perceived as requiring surgical intervention with higher urgency compared to female patients, particularly in cases of smaller strabismus angles.
• No consistent preference for the direction of the eye deviation was identified as a factor influencing urgency.

Conclusions:

• Patient gender and the magnitude of eye misalignment are significant factors influencing the perceived urgency for strabismus surgery among pediatric ophthalmologists.
• These findings highlight potential biases in surgical decision-making that warrant consideration.
• Further research may explore the underlying reasons for gender-based differences in urgency perception.