Strabismus and its Types in Children of Age 6 to 15 Years Presenting at a Public Sector Hospital of Karachi

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency and types of strabismus in children aged 6-15 years presenting at tertiary eye care Hospital, Karachi. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from January to April 2018 at Department of Ophthalmology Dow University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. All consecutive children suspected for strabismus referred to the Orthoptic clinic having 6-15 years of age of either gender without having strabismus surgery were enrolled. The vision of children, angle of deviation, types of strabismus with its diagnosis were assessed. The cover test and Hirschberg test were performed for the evaluation of strabismus. The presence of deviation of corneal reflex from the center of the cornea on Hirschberg test while presence of misalignment of either eye on cover test was labeled as positive for strabismus. Results: Out of 1400 children, 87 (6.21%) children were found with strabismus. Amongst these 87 strabismus patients, 46 (53%) were females and 41 (47%) were males. True strabismus was observed in 74 (85.1%) patients. Comitant Esotropia was found to be higher, i.e. 40 (58%). Most of the children had greater than 6/12 distance visual acuity of both right eye (n=48, 55.2%) and left eye (n= 57, 65.5%). Similarly, greater than N10 near visual acuity of both right eye (n= 63, 72.4%) and left eye (n=65, 74.7%) was also found higher. A significant association of types of strabismus was found with affected eye (p-value 0.022). Conclusion: The frequency of true strabismus was found higher among children referred to the Orthoptic clinic. In particular, concomitant Esotropia was the most common type of strabismus.