ABSTRACT

Purpose:

To evaluate the outcomes of horizontal strabismus surgery in patients with low visual acuity.

Material and Method:

The patients with visual acuity of 0.1 or below who underwent strabismus surgery were included in the study. The patients with esotropia (ET) and exotropia (XT) were analyzed in terms of detailed ocular examination findings. The causes of poor vision and organic pathologies were investigated, and the results of strabismus surgery were evaluated. A successful outcome was accepted as deviation of 10 prism diopters or less at the last control.

Results:

The mean age was 23.1±16.8 (range, 8-80) years in the ET group (n=46) and 29.2±13.4 (range, 8-57) years in the XT group (n= 36) at the time of first strabismus surgery (p=0.079). Organic pathologies were detected in 15 (32.6%) and 28 (77.8%) cases of ET and XT groups, respectively (p=0.005). Amblyopia (strabismic, anisometropic or ametropic) was observed in 31 (67.4%) and 8 (22.2%) cases of ET and XT groups (p=0.003). The mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 3.5±3.4 (range, 1-15) years in the ET group and 2.5±2.3 (range, 1-12) years in the XT group (p=0.132). Acceptable outcome was achieved with one surgery in 34 (73.9%) of ET cases, in 29 (80.6%) of XT cases after at least one year follow-up period (p= 0.489).

Discussion:

In strabismic cases with low visual acuity, strabismus surgery provides patient satisfaction. All cases should be reminded that more than one surgery may be required.