Impact of surgery for intermittent exotropia on the health-related quality of life of the child and parent
Reviewed by Lauren Hepworth

The authors present the analysis of the Intermittent Exotropia Questionnaire (IXTQ) completed by children and a parent in a previously reported randomised controlled trial comparing two surgical procedures. Children aged >5 years completed the Child IXTQ, and all parents completed the Proxy IXTQ and the Parent IXTQ at three-time points; baseline prior to surgery, six months postoperatively and 36 months postoperatively. Results from surgery were classified into three groups; resolved, sub-optimal or intermediate. Improvement in IXTQ was reported from baseline to six months and baseline to 36 months by both children and parents. A greater improvement was seen in cases classified as resolved versus sub-optimal, with the intermediate classification sitting in between. The authors discuss other potential influencing factors on the IXTQ scores including positive expectation of surgery, surgeons expressing greater satisfaction with cases in the resolved group and glasses wear. The authors also note limitations of the study including the lack of a control group and Parent IXTQ not being completed by the same parent at follow-up. This study highlights that successful surgery impacts positively on the child’s and parent’s health-related quality of life.

Improvement in health-related quality of life following strabismus surgery for children with intermittent exotropia.
Holmes JM, Hercinovic A, Melia M, et al.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY AND STRABISMUS
2021;25:82.