Problems in Malaysian children with large angle infantile esotropia: Children and parents' perspectives

INTRODUCTION: There is limited information regarding the problems faced by children with large angle infantile esotropia (LAIE). The aim of this study was to explore the problems that children with LAIE encounter from both their perspectives and those of their parents.

METHODS: This study included children who had LAIE (with angle of 40 prism dioptres or greater), aged 5 and 17 years who had attended the Ophthalmology Clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from March to September 2016. The children and their parents or guardians were interviewed face-to-face using a validated semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was performed using the NVivo 12 software.

RESULTS: A total of 30 children and 30 parents were interviewed. The most common problems identified by the children were social interactions (73.3%, 22 children), visual functions (60.0%, 18 children), emotions (60.0%, 18 children), physical issues (40.0%, 12 children) and difficulties regarding treatment options (26.7%, eight children). The parents reported that their children were more affected in terms of visual functions (100.0%, 30 parents), social interactions (56.7%, 17 parents), emotions (43.3%, 13 parents), physical issues (20.0%, six parents), and difficulties regarding treatment options (16.7%, five parents).

CONCLUSION: The major problems that the children with LAIE identified were social interactions, while the parents observed that problems with visual functions was the most common issue encountered by their children. This suggests that the children affected have different perspectives from their parents and require support.