Our Summary

This research paper examined the success rates of eye alignment surgery in children with strabismus (a condition where the eyes do not properly align with each other) from lower socioeconomic backgrounds compared to those with private insurance. The study looked at medical records from 2014 to 2017.

The researchers found that the success rate of the surgery did not significantly differ between the two groups - about 71% of the surgeries were successful in the lower socioeconomic group, while the success rate was roughly 73.5% in the group with private insurance. Factors like race, sex, age, and type of strabismus did not affect the surgery’s success rate.

However, they found that how well patients followed their treatment plan (like wearing glasses or using eye patches) did impact the success of the surgery. Around 68.1% of the lower socioeconomic group and 70.6% of the private insurance group followed their treatment plan well.

The researchers also noted that a significant number of patients from the lower socioeconomic group were lost to follow-up after the surgery, which could have affected the results of the study.

This study is the first to look at how socioeconomic status might affect the outcome of strabismus surgery. The researchers concluded that socioeconomic status did not significantly impact the surgery’s success, but how well patients stuck to their treatment plan did.

FAQs

  1. Did the success rate of strabismus surgery differ between children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and those with private insurance?
  2. What factors significantly impacted the success of strabismus surgery, according to the study?
  3. According to the research, how did socioeconomic status affect the outcome of strabismus surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might give to a patient about strabismus surgery is to follow their treatment plan closely before and after the surgery. This includes wearing glasses, using eye patches, and attending follow-up appointments as recommended. Following the treatment plan can improve the success of the surgery and help achieve the best possible outcome.

Suitable For

Typically, patients who are recommended for strabismus surgery are those who have not had success with other treatments such as glasses, eye patches, or vision therapy. Patients with significant eye misalignment that affects their vision, depth perception, or causes discomfort may be candidates for surgery. Additionally, patients with strabismus that is causing social or psychological issues may also be recommended for surgery. The success of the surgery may be influenced by factors such as adherence to post-operative care and follow-up appointments.

Timeline

Before strabismus surgery:

  • Patient is diagnosed with strabismus by an eye doctor
  • Patient undergoes a thorough eye examination to determine the severity of the condition
  • Patient discusses treatment options with their doctor, including non-surgical options like glasses or eye patches
  • Patient schedules surgery with an ophthalmologist
  • Patient receives pre-operative instructions and information about the surgery

After strabismus surgery:

  • Patient undergoes the surgery under general anesthesia
  • Patient may experience some discomfort and swelling after the surgery
  • Patient may need to wear an eye patch or shield for a few days to protect the eye
  • Patient follows post-operative instructions, including using prescribed eye drops and attending follow-up appointments
  • Patient may need to do eye exercises to help strengthen eye muscles and improve alignment
  • Patient gradually sees improvement in eye alignment over time
  • Patient may need additional surgeries or treatments depending on the success of the initial surgery

Overall, the timeline of a patient’s experience before and after strabismus surgery involves diagnosis, treatment planning, surgery, recovery, and follow-up care to ensure the best possible outcome for the patient.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about strabismus surgery include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with strabismus surgery?
  2. How long is the recovery process after surgery and what can I expect during that time?
  3. Will I need to follow a specific treatment plan after surgery, such as wearing glasses or using eye patches?
  4. What is the success rate of strabismus surgery in general, and what factors may affect the outcome of the surgery?
  5. How often will I need to follow-up with you after the surgery, and what should I do if I have any concerns or complications?
  6. How experienced are you in performing strabismus surgery, and what is your success rate with this procedure?
  7. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that I should consider before deciding on surgery?
  8. Will my insurance cover the cost of the surgery, and if not, what are my options for financial assistance?
  9. How will my socioeconomic status or access to resources impact the success of the surgery and my overall outcome?
  10. Can you provide me with any additional information or resources to help me better understand the procedure and make an informed decision about moving forward with surgery?

Reference

Authors: Dembinski RL, Collins ME, Kraus CL. Journal: Strabismus. 2019 Jun;27(2):47-53. doi: 10.1080/09273972.2019.1626451. Epub 2019 Jun 11. PMID: 31184517