The Effect of Childhood Eye Disorders on Social Relationships during School Years and Psychological Functioning as Young Adults

AIMS: To determine (1) whether having a visible eye condition and/or treatment with glasses and/or occlusion in childhood has any impact on psychological and/or social outcomes during childhood and young adulthood and (2) whether there is an effect of age at treatment. METHODS: A cohort of 160 participants was asked to take part in an online study. The cohort had previously taken part in a research study at Royal Preston Hospital from 1999–2006 when they were 3–8 years old (Buckley and Perkins 2010). Participants were divided into treatment and no-defect (control) groups and were invited to take part in the current study when they had reached age 18–21. Thirty-five (35) participants (22.5% of the total cohort) were recruited and completed a series of online questionnaires assessing recalled victimisation at school, current generalised anxiety, current depressive symptoms, current loneliness, current friendship quality, and adjustment to university/work. Questionnaire scores between treated patients and controls were compared. RESULTS: Findings showed that young adults who received treatment during their pre-school years, compared to their peers who did not need treatment, reported higher current generalised anxiety and more victimisation when in school. Those who received treatment in reception class were no different on psycho-social functioning compared to their peers; with both groups reporting higher victimisation than average compared to previous studies, and mild rates of anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that having a visible eye condition or treatment with glasses and/or occlusion commencing at pre-school has long term psychological implications, with scores on victimisation and current anxiety levels being higher for the pre-school treatment group compared to the pre-school no defect (control) group. Treatment plans and advice to parents should consider psycho-social outcomes of proposed treatment.