Effect of observation of intermittent exotropia on health-related quality of life of children and parents
Reviewed by Lauren Hepworth

The authors present the analysis of the Intermittent Exotropia Questionnaire (IXTQ) completed by the observation arm of a previously reported randomised controlled trial comparing part-time patching to observation. Children aged >5 years completed the Child IXTQ, and all parents completed the Proxy IXTQ and the Parent IXTQ at three-time points; baseline, six months and 36 months. No significant change was found in either the Child or Proxy IXTQ, whereas the Parent IXTQ was reported to improve baseline to six months and baseline to 36 months. The authors note several limitations to this study including a potential for these participants to have less severe deviations and lack of comparison to the health-related quality of life data from the treatment arm within the trial. Managing intermittent exotropia with observation is reported to have no effect on the child’s health-related quality of life, but the parent’s health-related quality of life is seen to improve.

Health-related quality of life in children with untreated intermittent exotropia and their parents.
Holmes JM, Hercinovic A, Melia M, et al.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY AND STRABISMUS
2021;25:80.