Publikation

Opinions of dating agents about strabismic subjects' ability to find a partner

Wissenschaftlicher Artikel/Review - 01.06.2008

Bereiche
PubMed
DOI

Zitation
Mojon-Azzi S, Potnik W, Mojon D. Opinions of dating agents about strabismic subjects' ability to find a partner. The British journal of ophthalmology 2008; 92:765-9.
Art
Wissenschaftlicher Artikel/Review (Englisch)
Zeitschrift
The British journal of ophthalmology 2008; 92
Veröffentlichungsdatum
01.06.2008
eISSN (Online)
1468-2079
Seiten
765-9
Kurzbeschreibung/Zielsetzung

AIMS: To determine the influence of strabismus on the ability to find a partner. METHODS: We interviewed Swiss dating agents retrieved from two Swiss online telephone directories using a validated questionnaire to determine whether strabismus has any impact on the ability to find a partner. During the interviews, subjects with internet access could view downloadable, digitally altered photographs of a strabismic man and women, as well as images of other computer-generated facial anomalies. RESULTS: Of the 40 dating agents, 92.5% judged that strabismic subjects have more difficulty finding a partner (p<0.001). Such difficulty was not associated with either gender or age but was perceived as being greater in exotropic than in esotropic persons (p<0.001). Among the seven facial disfigurements, strabismus was believed to have the third largest negative impact on finding a partner, after strong acne and a visible missing tooth. Dating agents also believed that potential partners perceive persons with strabismus as significantly less attractive (p<0.001), erotic (p<0.001), likeable (p<0.001), interesting (p<0.001), successful (p<0.001), intelligent (p = 0.001) and sporty (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Visible strabismus negatively influences the ability to find a partner. Because strabismus surgery in adults restores a normal functioning condition and reduces not only physical but also psychosocial difficulties, it cannot be considered a cosmetic procedure.