Strabismus Surgery

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Strabismus Surgery: Fundamentals - Eye See You Not!

  • Strabismus: Ocular misalignment; eyes don't look at the same object simultaneously.
  • Types:
    • Esotropia (inward), Exotropia (outward).
    • Hypertropia (upward), Hypotropia (downward).
    • Comitant (angle constant) vs. Incomitant (angle varies with gaze).
  • Key Evaluation:
    • Visual acuity, Cycloplegic refraction.
    • Cover tests (Cover-Uncover, Alternate Cover Test).
    • Corneal reflex tests: Hirschberg, Krimsky.
    • Prism tests (e.g., Prism Bar Cover Test - PBCT) for measurement.
  • Surgical Principles: Aim to realign eyes.
    • Recession: Muscle insertion moved posteriorly (weakens action).
    • Resection: Muscle shortened, reattached at original insertion (strengthens action). Hirschberg test corneal light reflex deviation and diopters

⭐ Hirschberg test: Assesses corneal light reflex. Normally slightly nasal. 1 mm of decentration approximates of ocular deviation or 15 prism diopters (PD).

Strabismus Surgery: Scalpel & Sutures - Straightening Acts

  • Goal: Align eyes, restore binocular single vision (BSV), expand visual field, improve cosmesis.
  • Types of Procedures:
    • Weakening Procedures (Recession):
      • Muscle detached, reattached further back on sclera.
      • ↓ Muscle's effective pulling power.
      • For overacting muscles.
    • Strengthening Procedures (Resection):
      • Portion of muscle tendon excised, muscle reattached at original insertion.
      • ↑ Muscle's effective pulling power.
      • For underacting muscles.
    • Transposition Procedures:
      • Muscle path altered to change vector of action (e.g., Jensen's, Hummelsheim's for abducens palsy).
  • Adjustable Sutures: Allow post-op alignment refinement.
  • Complications: Over/undercorrection, diplopia, slipped/lost muscle, scleral perforation.

Strabismus Surgery: Resection and Recession

Faden Procedure (Posterior Fixation Suture): Weakens muscle only in its primary field of action, without affecting primary position; useful for incomitant strabismus.

Strabismus Surgery: Tricky Twists - Special Cases & Fixes

  • Adjustable Sutures:
    • Post-op refinement (first 24 hrs).
    • For adults, reoperations, unpredictable cases.
  • Botulinum Toxin (Botox):
    • Temporary paralysis (2-4 months).
    • For small angles, diagnostics, post-op residuals.
  • Challenging Conditions & Fixes:
    • Duane Syndrome: Type 1 (↓abduction): Medial Rectus (MR) recession for esotropia (ET); avoid Lateral Rectus (LR) resection. Consider Vertical Rectus Transposition (VRT).
    • Brown Syndrome (Superior Oblique restriction): SO tenotomy/tenectomy or spacer for severe cases.
    • Superior Oblique Palsy (SOP): Harada-Ito for excyclotorsion. Knapp procedure for large hypertropia.
    • Thyroid Eye Disease (TED): Recess fibrotic muscles (Inferior Rectus common). Stable ≥6 months pre-op.
  • Complications:
    • Lost/Slipped Muscle: Surgical emergency. Explore carefully. Presents with diplopia, ↓motility.

⭐ In Duane Syndrome Type 1, avoid resecting the lateral rectus as it can worsen globe retraction and palpebral fissure narrowing. Medial rectus recession is preferred for esotropia.

Strabismus Surgery Strategies

Strabismus Surgery: Oops & Aftercare - Post‑Op Pitfalls & Polish

Post-Op Pitfalls:

  • Under/Overcorrection: Commonest. May need prisms or re-surgery.
  • Diplopia: Often transient. Persistent (>6-8 weeks) may need prisms/revision.
  • Infection (Endophthalmitis): Rare, severe. Prophylactic antibiotics.
  • Slipped/Lost Muscle: Rare. Large deviation. Urgent re-operation.
  • Scleral Perforation: Accidental. Monitor for RD, endophthalmitis.
  • Anterior Segment Ischemia (ASI): Risk with ≥3 recti surgery.
  • Suture Granuloma/Allergy: Local inflammation. Steroids/excision.

Post-Op Polish (Aftercare):

  • Medications: Topical antibiotic-steroid drops for 4-6 weeks.
  • Pain Relief: Oral analgesics for discomfort.
  • Patching: Often 24h post-op (kids) for comfort.
  • Activity: Avoid strenuous activity, swimming, eye rubbing (2-4 weeks).
  • Follow-up: Monitor alignment, motility, healing, vision.
  • Refraction: Update glasses/prisms once stable (post 6-8 weeks).

Strabismus Surgery: Before and After

⭐ Persistent diplopia post-strabismus surgery beyond 6-8 weeks is significant, often requiring prisms or re-operation.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Recession weakens a muscle; resection strengthens it.
  • Adjustable sutures allow postoperative refinement of alignment.
  • Commonest complication: residual strabismus or overcorrection.
  • Slipped muscle is a serious complication, requires re-operation.
  • Botulinum toxin can be used for small angle or temporary deviations.
  • Faden operation (posterior fixation) weakens muscle in its primary field of action.
  • Forced duction test (FDT) differentiates restrictive vs paretic strabismus.

Practice Questions: Strabismus Surgery

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Which of the following is the most devastating complication of cataract surgery?

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Flashcards: Strabismus Surgery

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The most important factor in the prevention of postoperative endophthalmitis is preoperative preparation with _____.

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The most important factor in the prevention of postoperative endophthalmitis is preoperative preparation with _____.

povidone iodine

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