[Bilateral medial rectus recession with posterior fixation suture for large infantile esotropia]

[Change in the age spectrum in strabismus surgery]

BACKGROUND

The proportion of children undergoing strabismus surgery in the total volume of eye muscle operations appears to have decreased. To verify this we analyzed the age of patients who underwent extraocular muscle (EOM) surgery.

METHODS

The data of patients who underwent EOM surgery at the University Eye Hospital Giessen between 1991 and 2019 were reviewed and the numbers of operations in decadal age groups were compared to the German population in the respective period. In addition, the types of strabismus which led to surgery were evaluated. The data pool comprised > 25,000 surgeries involving > 60,000 muscles.

RESULTS

In comparison to 1991, in 2019 the proportion of children aged ≤ 10 years decreased from 50.2% to 31.8%, corresponding to a relative decrease of more than one third. The proportion of patients aged > 50 years increased from 6.5% to 22.5%, i.e., by a factor > 3, while the population ≤ 10 years in 2019 was 13% smaller than in 1991 and the population aged > 50 years increased by 37%. The major reason for the decreasing proportion of children was a 53% reduction in surgery for esotropia. We found no apparent changes in the 2nd-5th decades of life.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The lower proportion of children undergoing EOM surgery appears to indicate an improvement in vision screening during the past 4 decades. The increasing proportion of older patients may result from better information on potential treatment and increased incidence of acquired strabismus with corresponding complaints. The demographic shift played a secondary role. Due to the population structure in Germany, a further increase in the demand for EOM surgery is to be expected.

[Three-muscle surgery for large angle esotropia]

BACKGROUND

Bilateral medial rectus muscle recession with or without Cüppers' posterior fixation suture and recess and resect surgery are used to correct for large angle esotropia. There are only few reports on three muscle surgery (3MS). We analyzed the results of 3MS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between June 2016 and May 2020, 61 patients received 3MS for esotropia ≥ 27° (50 PD) together with oblique muscle surgery, if needed. Angles of strabismus were measured by simultaneous prism and cover testing (SPCT) and alternating prism and cover testing (APCT) at 5 m and 0.3 m. Grading was around 0.51 mm/degree (at 5 m). Medium-term results of 57 patients were available.

RESULTS

Medians and ranges (min-max) were: age, 6 years (3-56 years). Preoperative APCT, far 34° (27-45°), near 36° (27-50°). Amount of surgery, 17 mm (15-21 mm), oblique muscle recession in 21 cases. The APCT after 5 months (3-24 months), far 2° (-10-18), near 2° (-8-18). Success rates (absolute deviation ≤ 6° [10 PD]), APCT far 68%, near 67%, SPCT far 79%, near 74%. Exotropia > 6° occurred in 4 cases (7%) at far and 3 (5%) at near, esotropia > 6° in 14 cases (25%) at far and 16 (28%) at near.

CONCLUSION

The use of 3MS is a suitable first step procedure to correct for large angle esotropia.

[Conservative and surgical treatment of convergence excess]

Convergence excess is a common finding especially in pediatric strabismus. A detailed diagnostic approach has to start after full correction of any hyperopia measured in cycloplegia. It includes measurements of manifest and latent deviation at near and distance fixation, near deviation after relaxation of accommodation with addition of +3 dpt, assessment of binocular function with and without +3 dpt as well as the accommodation range. This diagnostic approach is important for the classification into three types of convergence excess, which require different therapeutic approaches: 1) hypo-accommodative convergence excess is treated with permanent bifocal glasses, 2) norm-accommodative patients should be treated with bifocals which can be weaned over years, especially in patients with good stereopsis and 3) non-accommodative convergence excess and patients with large distance deviations need a surgical approach. The most effective operations include those which reduce the muscle torque, e. g. bimedial Faden operations or Y‑splitting of the medial rectus muscles.

One Year of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Research in Review

PURPOSE

To highlight recent advances in amblyopia and strabismus.

DESIGN

Literature review.

METHODS

A literature search of articles published in the English language was performed in PubMed or MEDLINE between May 2012 and April 2013 using the terms amblyopia or strabismus. Articles deemed relevant were selected.

RESULTS

The review highlights articles that increase our understanding of strabismus and amblyopia as well as newer treatment strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

The review highlights some new information and possible future advances in amblyopia and strabismus.