AIM:To investigate health-related quality of life(HRQOL)state in children with intermittent exotropia using the Intermittent Exotropia Questionnaire(IXTQ)and research the effect of strabismus surgeries on HRQOL.

METHODS:In this prospective study, we chose 42 patients with intermittent exotropia(aged 5-17 years)as case group, and 42 patients(aged 5-17 years)as control group. The Chinese IXTQ was used to evaluate HRQOL at 1d preoperatively and 3mo postoperatively in the two groups, and the differences of the two groups before and after surgery and the effect of strabismus surgery on HRQOL were analyzed.

RESULTS:The scores of HRQOL in control group were statistically significant higher than that of case group(P<0.01). Every items showed a statistically significant difference except on “Kids tease me because of my eyes” and “ My eyes make it hard for me to make friends”(P<0.05).At 3mo postoperatively,the scores of HRQOL in case group significantly increased than that at 1d preoperatively(P<0.01). Child IXTQ of case group was lower on every items than those of control group after surgery(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:Intermittent exotropia could affect the HRQOL in psychosocial and visual functional. The greatest HRQOL concerns for children with intermittent exotropia were shutting one eye when sunny, waiting for their eyes to clear up instead of taunts and friendship. The surgical treatment could improve HRQOL in children with intermittent exotropia.