University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center | 1000 Wall Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 | 734.763.8122
Copyright © Regents of the University of Michigan
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| Making a difference in children’s  LivesA new study at Kellogg should help children who suffer from strabismus, a condition in which the eyes are misaligned because the eye muscles do not function properly. The imbalance in muscles may cause one or both eyes to point in different directions. A child who suffers from strabismus must deal not only with the visual impairment, but with the psychological burden of looking different from others. Kellogg researchers are exploring the psychological effects of strabismus and the effects of corrective surgery on children’s emotional and social well being. While this study is carefully assessing the clinical impact of strabismus on the patient’s eyes, our researchers will also gain a more complete understanding of the condition’s impact on a child’s self esteem, interactions with peers, and emotional health. The study was designed by pediatric ophthalmologist, Steven Archer, M.D., and epidemiologist David Musch, Ph.D. (both from Kellogg), and health behavior expert, Patricia Wren, Ph.D., from the School of Public Health. Because the children in the study are so young, one of their parents is interviewed by phone to gain perspectives on the psychological and social effects of strabismus. Researchers are interviewing the parent using a specially written questionnaire three weeks before surgery and again three months after surgery. Kellogg’s researchers and physicians are pleased that they have the opportunity to address a quality of life issue that deeply affects these children, their parents, and entire families. According to Department Chair Paul R. Lichter, M.D., “Our goal is not simply to treat eyes, but to treat the person whose eyes are affected by a condition. That’s what makes this study so important.” The information from this study will bean important addition to physicians’ knowledgeof strabismus and the larger psychological consequences of the disorder. |
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University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center | 1000 Wall Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 | 734.763.8122
Copyright © Regents of the University of Michigan |