Strabismus surgery in adults – yes or no?

Overview

Aim:
to evaluate the effectiveness of the strabismus surgery in adult patients who were operated at the Opht Dpt of the University Hospital Ostrava in 2007–2008.

Methods:
Pre- and post-operatively we analyzed several parameters. Firstly, we measured the amplitude of the deviation and its change. Secondly, we evaluated the presence and quality of binocular functions. Thirdly, we monitored any signs of postoperative diplopia.

Results:
Mean amplitude in convergent strabismus was

– 21.
7° before surgery, and

– 11.
4° after surgery;

in divergent strabismus

– -17.
1° before surgery, and

– -4.
3° after surgery;

in vertical deviation

– 8.
8° before surgery, and

– 3.
0° after surgery.

11.8 % of patients had single binocular vision before surgery (simultaneous vision 7.6 %, fusion 4.2 % of patients), 9.3 % of patients stereopsis had. 40.7 % of patients had binocular vision postoperatively (simultaneous vision 11.0 %, fusion 6.8 % and stereopsis 22.9 % of patients). We didn’t note any case of postoperative diplopia.

Conclusions:
Not only did we experience very good cosmetic effects, but the achievement and/or improvement of binocular functions was satisfactory as well. We proved that the risk of postoperative diplopia is extremely low, therefore it should not prevent a surgeon from performing strabismus surgery in adults.

Key words:
strabismus in adults, strabismus surgery, binocular vision and strabismus in adults.