Children with Squints Unpopular With Peers


Swiss eye care experts have suggested that children with eye problems should undergo corrective laser eye surgery before the age of six, after a new study has shown that schoolchildren with the eye condition strabismus, may be treated negatively or discriminated against by their peers. The research, published online in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, revealed that children with squints are less likely to be invited to birthday parties – particularly when they turn six or older.

Researchers asked children to select people to invite to their birthday parties using images of twins that had been digitally altered to show one twin as having a squint. The scientists found that whilst children under the age of six did not discriminate between the twins, children aged 6 and older were much more likely to notice and discriminate against a visible eye misalignment.

Researchers claim that the results show that children with eye conditions, particularly strabismus, may be perceived and treated differently from their peers. Experts warn that this classroom discrimination could cause affected children to develop lasting

psychological problems, which may be avoided by using laser corrective surgery in early childhood.

29th August 2010

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