Applying Normal PedEyeQ Thresholds to Assess Eye-related Quality of Life among Children with Strabismus

Purpose: To determine proportions of children with strabismus with below-normal Pediatric Eye Questionnaire (PedEyeQ) scores. Methods: Ninety-eight children with strabismus (70 aged 5–11 years; 28 aged 12–17 years) were evaluated. Children completed the Child 5–11 or 12–17 PedEyeQ (Functional Vision, Bothered by Eyes/vision, Social, and Frustration/worry domains). Parents completed the Proxy (same domains plus Eye Care) and Parent PedEyeQ (Impact on Parent and Family, Worry about Child’s Eye Condition, Worry about Child’s Self-perception and Interactions, and Worry about Functional Vision domains). Previously published normal (5^th percentile) thresholds were applied to calculate proportions with below-normal scores for each domain. Results: For the Child PedEyeQ more than 20% of 5- to 11-year-olds scored below normal, on all but the Social domain, whereas more than 50% of 12- to 17-year-olds scored below normal on all domains. On the Proxy PedEyeQ, more than 50% scored below normal on all domains when parents reported on 5- to 11-year-olds and 12- to 17-year-olds. For the Parent PedEyeQ, more than 50% of the parents of both 5- to 11-year-olds and 12- to 17-year-olds scored below normal on all domains. Conclusions: The majority of children with strabismus have below-normal PedEyeQ scores, particularly children aged 12–17 years.