Clinical profile of strabismus at University of Gondar Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center-North West Ethiopia: A cross sectional study

Abstract Background: Strabismus has been defined as an intermittent or constant misalignment of the visual axes. Several studies have reported that strabismus affects about 1-6 % of the population across the world. This study aimed to assess the clinical profile of strabismus patients at the University of Gondar (UOG) tertiary eye care and training center. Material and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to October 2021 on all consecutive strabismus patients attending at UOG tertiary eye care and training center. Interviewer-administered questionnaires and clinical examinations were performed by residents and pediatric ophthalmologist for data collection. Results: A total of 258 strabismus patients with a median age of 8 (SD ±17.64) years old were enrolled in this study of whom 60.1% were esotropia (ET) and 32.6% were exotropia (XT). Accommodative-ET (AET) 46 (17.8%), constant type of XT 38 (14.7%), infantile ET 36 (14.0%) and acquired non-AET 34 (13.3%) were common sub-variants of strabismus. Having inferior oblique over action IOOA (AOR=7.6: 95% CI: 2.77 - 20.83) and being hyperopic in the left eye (AOR=8: 95% CI: 2.55-25) were significant factors associated with ET. Conclusion: Esotropia was the most common type of deviation accounting for more than half of the strabismus patients. Having IOOA and being hyperopic on the left eye were significant factors associated with ET.