Clinical Impact of a Novel Light-Transmitting Ocular Dressing in Children After Bilateral Strabismus Surgery: A Prospective Quasi-Experimental Study.

AIM: Nontransparent ocular dressings used after bilateral strabismus surgery deprive children of visual input, often provoking crying, causing premature dressing removal, and increasing caregiver burden. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a self-developed, novel light-transmitting ocular dressing in improving postoperative experience and alleviating caregiver burden.

METHODS

This prospective quasi-experimental study enrolled 120 children (3-14 years) who underwent bilateral strabismus surgery from August to December 2024. Participants were alternately assigned according to admission week to either a light-transmitting dressing group (n = 60) or a conventional nontransparent dressing group (n = 60). Outcomes included postoperative comfort (visual analogue scale [VAS]), crying/agitation level, caregiver burden (Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview), and unplanned dressing-change rate. Multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate the independent effect of dressing type after adjustment for demographic and surgical covariates.

RESULTS

Compared with those in the nontransparent group, children in the light-transmitting group reported significantly better postoperative comfort (VAS: 1.57 ± 0.81 vs 3.58 ± 1.34, p < 0.001) and were more likely to remain calm and cooperative (76.67% vs 33.33%). Caregiver burden scores were significantly lower (30.30 ± 3.12 vs 36.51 ± 4.20, p < 0.001), and the unplanned dressing-change rate was reduced (3.33% vs 18.33%, p < 0.01). After adjustment for demographic and surgical variables (procedure type, number of muscles operated, and operative duration), dressing type remained an independent predictor of comfort (β = -2.04, p < 0.001) and caregiver burden (β = -6.36, p < 0.001). Caregiver education level was balanced between groups and was an independent predictor of caregiver burden (β = -0.80, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The light-transmitting ocular dressing effectively improves comfort after bilateral strabismus surgery in children, reduces crying/agitation and caregiver burden, and lowers the need for unplanned dressing changes. By preserving postoperative visual input, this design offers an effective nonpharmacological strategy to mitigate postoperative psychological stress in children and warrants broader clinical adoption.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: China Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2600117638).