Would you trade part of your life expectancy to be rid of strabismus?
Written on November 3, 2007 – | by Lois (admin) |
David Marshall writes:
Dr. David Guyton at the Wilmer Eye Institue of Johns Hopkins sent this to me along with some other articles, but this one is a very powerful reminder of how crippling strabismus can be to those of us who suffer from it. It is a study conducted by George R Beauchamp, MD, Joost Felius, PhD, David R Stager, Sr, MD,and Cynthia L Beauchamp, MD from the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Dr G. Beauchamp, Dr Felius, Dr Stager, Dr C. Beauchamp), and the Retina Foundation of the Southwest (Dr Felius), Dallas, Texas.
This study shows 60% of those studied indicated willingness to trade part of their life expectancy in return for being rid of strabismus and its associated effects. You can find a link here.
It speaks volumes about how debilitating strabismus can be.
This interesting item above is shared by David Marshall (who also provided some input for last week’s post.) The study linked in David’s item is called “The Utility of Strabismus in Adults.” “Utility” is defined in the article as “quality-of-life weight.”
Photo credit: G & A Scholiers
31 Responses to “Would you trade part of your life expectancy to be rid of strabismus?”
By antoinette on Nov 6, 2007 | Reply
yes i would. nobody knows how depressing this condition is. For me I feel so inferoir to others and I can’t really defend myself because i cannot make eye contact. It is hard. As far as dating is concerned,it has not really stopped me from being approached, but I don’t even feel confortable in the situation so I don’t even entertain it. Having a companion doesn’t make me feel any better. Nobody understands how hard it is ti live with until they have it.
By kyle on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
definitely. easily 5 years. possibly 10 years. strabismus sucks!
By andy on Dec 25, 2007 | Reply
you have got to be kidding, your right strabismus sucks but is it worse than losing a child to hunger or war is it worse than being paralysed or blind there are 1000s of people in the world who would trade places with someone with strabismus i worked with what i had and got educated and went to the gym so come on get positive .
By jamie on Mar 26, 2008 | Reply
Andy I’m not kidding you. Yes people have it worse off but it doesn’t change the facts. Speaking for myself I hate having strabismus with all my might. You say think positive. Some times the bad out weighs the good.
By elena on Apr 1, 2008 | Reply
I agree with you Jamie, people are worse off but I even seen two homeless men making fun of me and my friend. I have esotropia, and she has exotropia. I heard them say oh her needs to go a little out and hers needs to go a little in. then laughing. People who usually say there are some worse off don’t have it.
By antoinette on Apr 1, 2008 | Reply
I agree jamie. I saw two homeless men making fun of me and my friend. it is embarrassing
By Angel on Jun 3, 2008 | Reply
Strabismus is a very depressing condition, I am afraid of social encounters because I can not maintain eye contact with other people and having eye contact is very important in public and social life, If you do not maintain eye contact people will lose interest in you or in what you have to say,because maintaining eye contact is the daily way in which we interact with other people. Social encounters are very hard for me am always avoiding them because it is very sad to hear all the comments other people make about you. ANTOINETTE dont worry I support you 100% because I know how hard it is to live with strabismus.
By terri on Jun 13, 2008 | Reply
Depressing is just what it is. Yes I would give a few years to be rid of it, I hate it!!
By Pete on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply
would give 30 years to be rid of it. Not a day has gone by that I havent thought about it. I would rather be starving in the streets.
By Cheryl on Jul 17, 2008 | Reply
Would give 10 years of my life to be able to look someone in the eye and not worry about where my eye is looking, to be able to enjoy a social gathering, to be able to live life like I should:(
I hate this disease!
By Moe on Sep 25, 2008 | Reply
Yes, maybe 20 yrs. I’ve been living with strabismus (both exo and eso after surgery) for all of my life and I am thankful to God that I am not blind nor that my condition is any worst. But, the worst kind of pain in this world is tha of loneliness. You can only do so much living like this. I am constantly avoiding people and outcasting myself in order to avoid (it) being noticed. Looking yourself in the mirror every day is not a pretty sight, it is depressing and a psychological turmoil.
By ryan on Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
yes it is hard sometimes but there are at least 2 trials looking to treat amblyopia that show real promise of a possible treatment so my advice is keep the faith and keep checking this site for any new developments.
By JohnAngus24glasgow on Dec 27, 2008 | Reply
Hi guys.
I’ve taken some time to read over your comments and they bring back a lot of bad memories.
This comment had the most impact on me: ‘I don’t even feel comfortable in the situation so I don’t even entertain it.’
How true.
I have passed up several thousands of oppurtunities over the years just ‘in case’ someone might say something about my strabismus and make me feel uncomfortable.
The first person kind enough to point out that my eyes were crossed persisted to the point where he caused me to switch schools. Every day (and yes, you guys will know i mean EVERY day)I was concerned with the appearance of my eyes.
This lasted from the age of 13 to 23. There were four surgeries within that time, but i was never satisfied.
Ten years is enough for your mind to believe that you will never be free from the traumatising, psychological grip your strabismus has on you.
Ten years is enough to believe that strabismus is you.
Strabismus defines you.
You are a pair of squint eyes sitting atop your avatar of despair.
Wrong.
It’s your eyeball and a couple of muscles.
Wear it like a scar, and wear it with a smile - and every time someone brings it up, tell them you almost got eaten alive by a bear.
Tell them another thing, too. Tell them you dont give a damn, even if you dont believe it - even if you’re DYING inside with humiliation.
Once you say it enough, you’ll start to believe it yourself.
My full name is on the post, along with my city and age.
My eyes are crossed, I’m skinny, and i don’t like the beatles. If you have a problem with that come see me.
I’ll tell you i don’t give a damn.
I’m not gonna say good luck guys.
Just do it.
John
By eric on Feb 18, 2009 | Reply
wow … this is like a therapy session for me. I have had strabismus of some kind all my life which I suspect causes me to be both far-sighted and near-sighted. I am now in my earlier forties. I am strongly left eye dominant and my right eye turns in slightly. Can you guess what it was like for me when I was in Army basic training? My drill sergeants almost gave up on me at the firing range. I’m right-handed but had to fire with my left so I could see through the rear sight and aim at the darn target.
I tell you this strabismus is hard - hard for me to bare that I allow it to consume otherwise good thinking time. I hate all the time I get self-conscious and think about this. Getting self-conscious is one reason why I went online to research this. I hate it!! Think of the energy I could put elsewhere. I would happily shave five years off my life for a better quality of life - normal eyesight and alignment.
What you guys think of my ranting??
By Tricia on Mar 16, 2009 | Reply
Eric I totally understand! I am in my late fourties and was in the Air Force. I must say the Air Force didn’t give me a hard time, even on the firing range.
I have been to many eye doctors hoping to find someone who would help me, most just called it cosmetic and wanted thousands of dollars. I finally find a doctor that my son was referred to, so we could be sure he didn’t have any issues–he doesn’t thank god!
I have been seeing her for about seven years and because of my muscle weakening we discussed surgery–I am going for it! My surgery is this Wednesday:) I know there are a lot of possitive and negative comments, but I have to give it a try.
Have you thought about surgery? Because I keep my head down or tilt my head it is doing a job on my neck and back–no more cosmetic reason.
I hope everything works well!!!
It may not be for everyone, but I trust my surgeon and it is the only thing that I haven’t done.
I hope you find someone that is able to help you! Keep trying and don’t give up!
By liz on Mar 23, 2009 | Reply
my son has strabismus…he is 14.
Has anyone here used vision therapy? Was it successful? We saw a doctor today but didn’t get a good “gut feeling.”
By Lois (admin) on Mar 25, 2009 | Reply
Liz, thank you for your question. Please see the ‘Topic Search’ drop-down list near the top of the right sidebar. Scroll down to ‘Strabismus’ then ‘Treatment’ and click ‘Vision Therapy.’ Or you can type ‘vision therapy’ (without the quotes) into the ‘Search Eyes Apart’ area next to the ‘Topic Search.’ You can post further questions about Vision Therapy on one of these posts.
You can also join our Eyes Apart email support group where you can communicate with many others who have strabismus. See info about that at the very top, just above the ‘Search’ areas. Many there have done vision therapy.
Best to you,
Lois
By David on May 15, 2009 | Reply
This disease truly and honestly sucks, people that don’t have it CAN NOT FATHOM what we’re going thru, their stupid suggestions of “just put eye drops” or “just close one eye” please, if you have nothing intelligent to say DON’T!!!!
If anyone wants a shoulder/ear to talk about this you’re more than welcome to write me at davtpt@hotmail.com
Dave
By Dave on May 15, 2009 | Reply
Some of you have mentioned surgery, the result of my surgery has cost me to “see” double 24/7, I wish I never under went the surgery…
Now my eye “appears” straight to everyone else, but I am living a nightmare.
By Eddie on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
Hey i know what you mean. i was born with exotropia. It’s like living in a nightmare that never ends.
I can say my life sucks, its been like that for 20 years.
Im shy, no self confidence or self esteem.
I ignore people sometimes since i cant have eye contact especially when im looking to my right side.
i have prescription glasses, and had surgery as well.
But i still feel the same. Why me??? im so desperated.
By Eddie on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
Excuse my bad language and bad english but im not very fluent.
Im frustrated with my life. Im kind of a loner. Its so hard having to deal with strabismus because eye contact is ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU NEED IN THIS LIFE.
I’d like to meet more people with strabismus and make friends. myspace.com/odraudeduardo
By David on Sep 27, 2009 | Reply
Went to Yale 3 weeks ago, Dr. suggestes prisms again,I’ve been thru several pair already which all they do is make you see blurry, they at yale loved my home-made glasses/patch configuration, $1 pair of sunglasses with black tape on the right lens, popped out the lens on the left side, comfortable eye to elminate diplopia, I’m seeking a solid contact lens, my first surgery in 2006 resulted in my double vision ( thanks doc ). But life goes on, I’m starting to do more Latin gigs on my trumpet, people constantly tell me I’m missing a lens & I thank them for their concerns, sometimes I ask them to keep an eye on the floor to spot it
Que sera sera, it is what it is, don’t let your eyes stop you from living, there are too many ignorant people out there, ignore them or tell them ” I see stupid people”. Keep in touch…. Dave.
By Ellen on Oct 24, 2009 | Reply
Hi. I am so sorry all of you have had such rough experiences coping with your strabismus. I wouldn’t trade a day of my life. I’ve had three surgeries and still my right eye turns in a fair degree.
Sure, I’d rather not have it, but to be honest, on a day-to-day basis, I rarely even think about my strabismus.
It actually never even occurred to me that other people would mind it until one person said something obnoxious. But then my friends said they are not bothered by it, and I stopped worrying about it. People seem pretty comfortable around me. I don’t know - maybe it doesn’t faze them because it doesn’t faze me. I agree with the fellow above - don’t let your eyes stop you from living. If people say unkind things, it says more about them than about you. People truly worth hanging around with won’t judge you by a physical imperfection.
Ellen
By Anonymiss on Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
Easily. Without a doubt I would do it.
I can’t get a job because I can’t look any potential employers in the eye in interviews. Which in turn leads them to believe I don’t want the job or am not motivated or friendly enough.
Whenever I meet new people (Men especially) I can’t maintain eye contact at all. I have no confidence whatsoever.
It has taken over my entire life. I hate having my picture taken, I have some talent as an actress and am already working professionally but I know that my career is limited because I do not have straight eyes, so I won’t be hired for major jobs.
To know that the one thing in my life I can do really well, the pinnacle of that career is unreachable for me due to something most people with straight eyes take for granted is debilitating beyond belief.
So yes, I’d trade life expectancy for a chance at feeling normal.
By Anonymiss on Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
Oh and I’m sure anyone with strabismus reading this knows full well the pain of the double take people do when they believe you are looking past them while you are talking to them…
Or the one where you are talking to someone among a group of people and they say “who are you talking to” ’cause they can’t tell which eye you use to look at them with.
Or… the one where you suddenly realise your lazy eye is staring at someone… that one is embarrassing as hell.
I’m seriously thinking of wearing a pirate patch and saying it’s for fashion XD
By Ellen on Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
Hi. I know very well the experience of people glancing over their shoulder while talking to me, or a group of kids not knowing which one I’m addressing. Yes somehow, these experiences don’t bring me pain or embarrassment. They are simply a part of who I am, and I’m okay with that particular imperfection. When people get to know me, they stop even noticing the wandering eye.
Of course I’m way self-conscious about other parts of my looks…I don’t mean to be insensitive to anyone’s discomfort with their strabismus. And I’m fortunate in that my career is not affected by it.
I do believe that we all have something to offer the world, and that a smile and friendly conversation can go a long way to offset the wandering eye when talking to someone.
Ellen
By Mike on Oct 31, 2009 | Reply
Ok, so here is my question. I had surgery 11 years ago, and unfortunately, it appears the effects of the surgery have worn off and I am back to where I was pre surgery. Before going in for another surgery, which will probably last only a few years, what about prosthetic contact lenses? It seems like this problem might be one that could be masked? Anyone ever check into it?
Mike
By Ruth V on Dec 6, 2009 | Reply
Your comments are truly sad. I am wondering how many of you suffering with strabismus have tried vision therapy. There are options other than surgery.
By Arthur on Dec 15, 2009 | Reply
Gee Eric, your story sure sounds a lot like mine except I’m considerable older than you. I’m sure that doesn’t give you much hope. Sorry. I’ve had seven operations. The last two were to correct the mistake of the previous one. All were unsuccessful. I spend so much time thinking about whether someone notices that my eyes aren’t perfectly aligned that it consumes me. And yes, I would give up some sight and some years of life just to feel and look normal.
By brian on Dec 27, 2009 | Reply
yeah mike you a correct, i think prosthetic lense is the answer! it seems a small price to pay for your life back, im putting in for one very soon, and il let you know how it is going when i have it.
By David on Mar 9, 2010 | Reply
Brian, how are you buddy? Please give me information on getting one of those prostetic or occult lens. I still have this double vision and after four years of wearing glasses wirh black tape on the right lens I think it’s time to upgrade….Has anyone ever worn those CVS/WALGREENS patches… they’re HORRIBLE… ( hot,itchy, leave you a rash )…. So brian, please shoot me that info… davtpt@hotmail.com To the rest of you, anyone wants to chat, e-mail me or facebook me….
Thanks…..