Diplopic versus nondiplopic strabismus: effects on functional vision and eye-related quality of life in adolescents

Twenty adolescents (12-17 years old) with diplopic strabismus and 20 with nondiplopic strabismus (matched to diplopic subjects for direction and magnitude of ocular deviation) completed the Pediatric Eye Questionnaire (PedEyeQ). Children completed the Child PedEyeQ, and one parent for each child completed the Proxy PedEyeQ and Parent PedEyeQ. PedEyeQ Rasch domain scores were calculated and converted to a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best). Distributions of domain scores were compared between diplopic and nondiplopic cohorts using Wilcoxon tests. Diplopic adolescents had significantly lower Child PedEyeQ scores on Functional Vision (72 vs 90; P = 0.008), Bothered by Eyes/Vision (65 vs 90; P = 0.009), and Frustration/Worry (53 vs 75; P < 0.001) domains. There was no difference on the Child Social domain (85 vs 90; P = 0.22). Proxy and Parent PedEyeQ scores were similar between diplopic and nondiplopic cohorts (P > 0.06 for each comparison). These findings highlight the importance of addressing diplopia when managing childhood strabismus.