EXOTROPIA TRIPLES RISK FOR MENTAL ILLNESS

Review of Optometry

Mohney BG, McKenzie JA, Capo JA, et al. Mental illness in young adults who had strabismus as children. Pediatrics 2008 Nov;122(5):1033-8

Researchers found that children with exotropia were three times more likely to develop a psychiatric disorder, according to a study in the November issue of Pediatrics.

Also, patients with intermittent exotropia were significantly more likely to have mental health disorders, mental health-related emergency department visits, mental health-related hospitalizations and thoughts of suicide or homicide.