The Impact of Strabismus on Psychosocial Equity

Strabismus, the condition of misaligned eyes, can result in severe, long-lasting functional and psychosocial sequelae. This review examines existing literature that has described and quantified the psychosocial consequences of strabismus. In particular, the role of strabismus in creating social, psychological, and vocational disparities, and how these intersect with race, ethnicity, and gender, is described. The reviewed data suggest that negative perceptions of strabismus are formed early in life. Overall, exotropia is more easily noticed than esotropia. Esotropia is perceived more negatively than exotropia, and there is significant variation with respect to gender, racial, and ethnic groups. The data demonstrate that the presence of strabismus affects self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, and access to vocational opportunities. Surgical correction of strabismus has been shown to provide significant and long-lasting improvements in psychosocial well-being.