Health Related Quality of Life Assessment in Strabismus Patients Using AS-20 Questionnaire at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Strabismus or misalignment of eyes, can have ocular, cosmetic as well as psychological effects on a patient’s health. Psychologically strabismus can be a reason for constant depression and feeling left out in a society. Management of strabismus keeping in mind its impact on mental health can help decrease the burden of mental stress in a community due to this ocular condition. Objective: This study was designed to assess the psychosocial impact of strabismus on daily life. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Settings: Ophthalmology Department, Gujranwala Medical College/ Teaching Hospital. Duration: October 2020 to March 2021. Methods: Adult Strabismus (AS)-20 questionnaire was designed on google forms. Adult patients with no H/O squint surgery giving consent were interviewed. Mean AS-20 scores (Overall, gender wise, marital status wise and psycho-social/ functional sub-scale scores mean) were calculated and analyzed. p<0.05 was taken to be statistically significant. Results: Total 35 patients were included. 14 (40%) were male while 21 (60%) were female. 20 (57.14%) were un-married while 15(42.85%) were married. Overall mean AS-20 score was 57.06 ± 21.78. Mean AS-20 score for males was 60.80 ± 26.16 which was greater than females 52.73 ± 18.77. Mean AS-20 scores for married and un-married individuals were 57.50 ± 24.39 and 54.81 ± 20.64 respectively. Comparison of gender wise and marital status wise mean AS-20 score was of no statistical significance. Conclusion: Overall mean AS-20 score of strabismus patients was (57.06) which was considerably less as compared to AS-20 score for normal individuals i.e. (95). We recommend that ophthalmologists should consider the psychological impact on daily life while managing strabismus patients.