[Strabismus and reading: Effect of strabismus on reading tests in children from 8 to 11 years].

PURPOSE: We try to show a relationship between strabismus and changes in reading skills.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We have carried out a prospective study including 135 children from 8 to 11 years (French level CE2 to CM2). They were given an ophthalmologic and orthoptic examination and then divided into 4 groups: strabismus with vertical deviation without binocular vision, accommodative strabismus with binocular vision, accommodative strabismus without binocular vision and control group (children without strabismus). Each child took 4 validated reading tests: reading fluency, uncommon words reading, comparison of letters sequences without signification, searching "verbal index".

RESULTS

Results are significantly lower in children with accommodative strabismus without binocular vision for two tests (reading fluency and uncommon words reading). In contrast, results for the two other tests do not differ significantly between the 4 groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated lowered reading skills in tests of reading fluency in children with accommodative strabismus without binocular vision.