Psychosocial implications of strabismus surgery in adults

Adults with socially noticeable strabismus have been known to experience psychosocial difficulties as a result of their abnormal eye position. This study was designed to assess the impact of noticeable strabismus in adults and the psychosocial effects of surgical correction.

A total of 31 adults who underwent surgery for longstanding horizontal strabismus where poor alignment was the primary reason for consenting to surgery were requested to complete a self-reporting repertory grid to appraise the psychosocial consequences of corrective strabismus surgery.

Prior to corrective surgery, the majority of subjects reported various psychosocial difficulties, considered by them to be wholly or partly due to their unsightly strabismus. A significant improvement in interpersonal interactions is apparent following strabismus surgery.

Surgery to improve ocular alignment appears to herald major improvements in the quality of psychosocial functioning for the majority of adults undergoing such surgical procedures (P < 0.001).