Barriers responsible for delay in surgical correction of strabismus: A study among adults undergoing strabismus surgery at a tertiary care center in Kerala

Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze the factors responsible for delay in surgical treatment among adults with strabismus. Materials and Methods: A validated questionnaire-based study on fifty adult strabismic patients, enrolled through simple random sampling, who underwent surgical correction of strabismus at the strabismus clinic of a tertiary care eye hospital. Results: A total of fifty patients in the age group 18– 45 years, including 28 males (56%) and 22 females (44%) were studied. 24% were students, 22% were professionals, 18% were skilled laborers, and 18% were homemakers. Strabismus had significant psychological impact on the quality of life of the patient and 50% suffered from low self-esteem attributable to squint 32% reported peer pressure and bullying. Lack of awareness about surgery (32%), fear of surgery (24%), and nonaffordability were the most common reasons reported by patients for delayed the surgical correction. The reasons for seeking surgical treatment in adulthood were for improving self-esteem and quality of life (32%) and due to pressure from family and friends (24%). Conclusion: Social factors predominate as obstacles for timely correction of strabismus. Economic factors and lack of awareness among medical communities also contribute toward delay in treatment