Quality of life among children with severe and chronic ophthalmic conditions

Purpose To evaluate the impact on the quality of life of children from 8 to 18 years‐old of a rare and serious ophthalmological condition (cataract and congenital glaucoma). Methods Analysis of the answers obtained between May and November,2012 by autoquestionnaire( KIDSCREEN‐10) among children from 8 to 18 years‐old and from their parents and approaching their physical, social, moral and educational wellness. The children are patients of a department of pediatric ophthalmology of the South of France and followed‐up on the long term for chronic and severe ophthalmological conditions. Results 50 children (mean age 12 years) and 45 parents participated in this study. We register a lack of energy and an impression to be decreased to the everyday life to 32% of the children according to their parents(n: 14) and 27%(n: 13) according to the children. A feeling of sadness is present according to the parents for 43% of the staff(n: 19) and to 36% of the children according to their statements(n: 18). The solitude is felt at 64 %(n: 28)of children according to their parents against 30% (n: 15) according to the children. The school life is affected according to the parents for 82% of the children(n: 37) and 70% when we question the children (n: 35). The global appreciation of the child's health is degraded at 30 % of the children (n: 13) according to their parents against 22% according to the children (n:11). Conclusion Chronic ophthalmological conditions have certain noxious impact on the quality of life of the children and particularly in their social relationships and their school life. This study shows a good correlation between the felt of the parents on the real‐life experience of their children and the appreciation which make the children themselves.