Could Personality Traits Modify the Response to Uncorrected High Hyperopia?

Purpose: We aimed to measure temperament and investigate personality in children with high hyperopia considering that these could modify the individual response to uncorrected high hyperopia. Methods: Fifteen children (age range, 5 to 12 years) with orthotropia and ametropic amblyopia in the presence of uncorrected high hyperopia were identified (group 1). Among the children with refractive accommodative esotropia, 15 children (age range, 5 to 12 years) were enrolled to form group 2. We measured the temperament by using the Children’s Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) Short Form. The Children’s Apperception Test (CAT-H) was also administered to all subjects. Results: Regarding the temperament scales measured by CBQ, themes of discomfort, fear, and shyness were more dominant in group 2; high-intensity pleasure and smiling–laughter were dominant in group 1. However the difference was statistically significant only for fear scale ( P = 0.045). CAT-H results revealed that aggression toward the parents was the most commonly encountered behavioral pattern in both groups. The children in group 1 were more likely to express passive–aggressive behavioral pattern. Obstinacy and anal period characteristics dominate in the children in group 2. Themes of narcissistic injury was more frequently expressed by these children. Conclusion: The temperament scales and personality traits could play a role in the modification of the individual response to uncorrected high hyperopia. This finding deserves more research in a larger study group.