Diplopia and strabismus following ocular surgeries

Stereopsis following surgery in children with congenital and developmental cataracts: A systematic review and meta-analysis

We estimated the proportion of children with stereopsis following surgery in congenital and developmental cataracts by systematic review and meta-analysis and also considered the factors influencing stereopsis, such as intervention age and presence of strabismus. Stereopsis is directly related to quality of life, and investigating its levels following cataract surgery in children may help decide the right time to intervene, particularly in the context of brain plasticity. We conducted a systematic literature search using Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science and found 25 case series, 3 cohorts, and 3 clinical trial studies from 1/1/1995 to 31/12/2020. Study-specific proportions of stereopsis from 923 children were pooled using a random-effects model, and stratified analyses were conducted based on intervention age and pre-existing strabismus as a confounder. We appraised the risk of bias using tools published by National Institutes of Health and evaluated publication bias with funnel plots and the Egger test. The pooled proportions of stereopsis based on 8 unilateral and 6 bilateral congenital cataract studies were 0.37 (95% CIs: [0.24, 0.53]) and 0.45 (95% CIs: [0.24,0.68]) when patients with preexisting strabismus were excluded as a confounder. When the intervention age was ≤6 months, proportions in unilateral congenital cataract group significantly increased to 0.52 (95% CIs: [0.37, 0.66]; P = 0.49) compared to 0.26 (95% CIs: [0.14, 0.44]; P = 0.16) otherwise. A similar increase in proportions was found when intervention age ≤4 months. In both unilateral and bilateral congenital cataract groups, proportions increased significantly when the confounder was excluded. Overall, proportions in bilateral congenital cataracts were significantly greater than unilateral cases (irrespective of confounder). Eight unilateral and 5 bilateral developmental cataract studies resulted in pooled proportions of 0.62 (95% CIs: [0.27, 0.88] and 0.82 (95% CIs: [0.4, 0.97]), respectively. Although proportions for bilateral developmental cataracts were greater than unilateral cataracts (irrespective of confounder), results were not statistically significant. Finally, proportions in unilateral developmental cataracts were significantly greater than unilateral congenital cataracts (Z = 7.413, P = 6.173694e-14). We conclude that surgical intervention within first 4-6 months can significantly affect postoperative outcomes in unilateral congenital cataracts. Analysis of existing data does not show a significant effect of intervention age on stereopsis outcomes for developmental cataracts.

[Disorders of the visual system following vitreoretinal and macular surgery]

The visual system is highly complex. Monocular or binocular disorders can develop, for example during tractive alterations of the macula, such as in epimacular membranes, and result in symptoms, such as double vision, aniseikonia or metamorphopsia. These symptoms are also observed following vitreomacular or vitreoretinal surgery, especially after treatment of large retinal detachment involving the macular area using pars plana vitrectomy or scleral buckle surgery but also as a result of vitreomacular interventions, such as membrane peeling in epimacular gliosis. Some patients have preoperatively existing latent conditions, which are not explicitly addressed during routine preoperative diagnostics. For patients and surgeons it is worth noting that these troublesome symptoms are often manifested in patients with good restoration of best corrected visual acuity following vitreomacular surgery. In such cases, patients tend to be dissatisfied with the surgical result despite good visual acuity. Treatment of postoperative metamorphopsia, aniseikonia and double vision is often difficult. In clinical studies, the maximum depth of tractive retinal folds has been described as a reliable morphological biomarker for the occurrence of metamorphopsia in epimacular gliosis. As metamorphopsia tends to postoperatively resolve slowly and even persist in ca. 30% of cases, this biomarker can have an impact on preoperative consulting and postoperative monitoring. Persistent binocular discomfort is often treatable by exact refraction correction and by applying a vertical and, if necessary, a horizontal prism. This often requires patience on the part of both the patient and the physician but is mostly successful due to fusion and adaptability.

[Strabismus and oculomotor disorders induced by injection anesthesia for cataract surgery]

PURPOSE

To analyze diagnostic and treatment outcomes in patients with strabismus and oculomotor disorders induced by injection anesthesia for cataract surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 11 patients (7 women and 4 men) aged 61 to 85 years (the mean age of 66±7.1 years) who complained of diplopia in the early post-op period after cataract phacoemulsification and elastic IOL implantation under retrobulbar anesthesia. Prior to further surgical treatment, all of the patients underwent functional multispiral computer tomography of the orbits. Prismatic spectacle correction was also used independently or in addition to surgical treatment.

RESULTS

Eight out of eleven patients underwent one- or two-step surgical treatment (3 and 5 cases, respectively). In 2 patients, hypotropia did not exceed 10 prism diopters, and thus, diplopia could be compensated with prismatic spectacle correction alone. In 5 cases, binocular vision was achieved throughout the whole field of gaze. In 3 cases, surgical treatment enabled elimination of heterotropia in the primary gaze and compensation of diplopia within a radius of 40º from the center of gaze and within the entire horizontal range of eye-movement in the downward gaze. The limitation of ocular mobility decreased from 2.36 to 0.55 points leading to an associated decrease in the area of binocular diplopia - from 98% to 29%. In one case, spectacle occlusion was used.

CONCLUSION

The inferior rectus restriction is the morphological substrate of anatomical and functional changes induced by retrobulbar anesthesia. As treatment options for restrictive vertical strabismus and binocular diplopia, both surgical (extraocular muscle surgery) and optical (prismatic correction, occlusion) methods should be considered.

Strabismus surgery in the setting of glaucoma drainage devices in the pediatric population

PURPOSE

To evaluate outcomes of strabismus surgery performed subequent to or concomitant with glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation for refractory childhood glaucoma.

METHODS

The medical records of children who underwent strabismus surgery after or concomitantly with GDD implantation were reviewed retrospectively. Included were surgeries with motility and alignment data measured preoperatively and ≥3 months postoperatively. The following data were collected: demographics, visual acuity, glaucoma diagnosis, GDD type/location, pre- and postoperative sensorimotor/alignment measurements, and surgical details. Motor success was defined as ≤10^Δ horizontal and ≤4^Δ vertical residual heterotropia postoperatively.

RESULTS

A total of 25 children were included: 11 in the post-GDD group and 14 in the concomitant-GDD group. In the former, peri-GDD capsule dissection was required in 9 of 11 patients (82%). All cases had preoperative motility restriction or intraoperative scarring. Mean preoperative deviation (26.7^Δ ± 14.6^Δ) decreased by 41% postoperatively, with improved alignment in 7 patients (64%). No patients met strict motor alignment criteria for success. In the concomitant-GDD group, mean preoperative deviation (28.5^Δ ± 10.0^Δ) decreased by 39% postoperatively, with improved alignment in 11 of 14 patients (79%). Four patients (29%) met strict criteria for success. There were no surgical complications in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Strabismus surgery in eyes with existing or planned GDDs for childhood glaucoma usually improves alignment but often does not result in success based on strict motor alignment criteria. Eyes with childhood glaucoma pose surgical technical challenges related to small orbits and exuberant GDD capsule-muscle scarring and postoperative challenges of poor vision and limited binocular function, that likely limit succcess.

Vertical diplopia after cataract surgery, overacting, and/or underacting extraocular muscle

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate two cases of vertical diplopia after cataract surgery and to discuss the mechanism and types of strabismus caused by the local anesthesia with retrobulbar injection. Two cases of vertical diplopia after cataract surgeries were reported. They were operated by the same surgeon and both happened to the left eye and both presented with marked left hypotropia. The clinical findings consisted of overacting left inferior rectus (LIR) in case 1 and mixed overacting and restrictive LIR in case 2. The diplopia and left hypotropia were eliminated after muscle operation. Retrobulbar injection is a basic technique in ophthalmic practice. Although it is generally safe, complications do happen in certain cases including diplopia and strabismus. Ophthalmologists should know about the orbital anatomy and learn to prevent any accidental insult to extraocular muscles.

SUPRACHOROIDAL BUCKLING FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENTS SECONDARY TO PERIPHERAL RETINAL BREAKS

PURPOSE

To evaluate functional and anatomical outcomes of eyes undergoing suprachoroidal buckling for the management of peripheral retinal breaks in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of 41 eyes of 41 patients undergoing suprachoroidal buckling for the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment secondary to single or multiple retinal breaks. Suprachoroidal indentation was achieved through the introduction of filler material using a 23-gauge (23-G) olive-tipped, suprachoroidal cannula. This allowed for the creation of a suprachoroidal dome and chorio-retinal apposition. Healon5 (Abbott Medical Optics) was used as filler material in all eyes. Combined 25-G vitrectomy was performed in 5 eyes. Cryopexy and laserpexy were used in 37 and 4 eyes, respectively.

RESULTS

Mean visual acuity gain was the primary outcome measure. Final retinal reattachment rate, single-surgery reattachment rate, and complications were secondary outcome measures. Mean best-corrected distance visual acuity improved from 20/1,100 to 20/42. Single surgery reattachment rate was 92.7% (38/41 eyes). Final retinal reattachment was achieved in all 41 eyes (100%). There was no statistically significant difference in visual acuity gain or anatomical reattachment in terms of retinal break quadrant or extent. No major complications were observed. Two localized suprachoroidal hemorrhages occurred at the entry site for the cannula. These resolved without further intervention.

CONCLUSION

Suprachoroidal buckling using a specially designed cannula is a safe and effective procedure for the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment secondary to peripheral retinal breaks.

Strabismus surgery outcomes in eyes with glaucoma drainage devices

PURPOSE

To report strabismus surgery outcomes in eyes with prior implantation of glaucoma drainage devices (GDD).

METHODS

The medical records of patients who underwent strabismus surgery for ocular misalignment that developed after implantation of a GDD over a 13-year period at a single institution were examined retrospectively. Patient characteristics, deviation types, preoperative measurements, surgical procedures, and postoperative measurements were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 16 patients included, 14 had exotropia (34^Δ ± 16^Δ) and 11 had vertical deviations (15^Δ ± 7^Δ), of which 9 had concurrent exotropia and vertical deviations. Preoperatively, 9 patients had diplopia. The surgical approach was tailored to address the deviation most noticeable to the patient-horizontal, vertical, or both if the vertical component could be addressed by horizontal muscle supra- or infraplacement. Three patients underwent simultaneous horizontal and vertical surgery. All patients underwent strabismus surgery on an eye with a GDD. Surgical motor success (defined as horizontal deviation ≤10^Δ, vertical ≤4^Δ) was achieved in 42% of horizontal and 57% of vertical deviations. Postoperatively 74% of deviations decreased by ≥50% in magnitude. Diplopia resolved in 50% of patients who presented with preoperative diplopia. One patient had intraoperative bleb perforation, but none had postoperative hypotony at any follow-up visit. Only 2 required a second strabismus surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Strabismus surgery with preservation of the filtering bleb following implantation of a glaucoma drainage device is a low risk procedure that can improve ocular alignment and related symptoms, despite a low motor success rate by standard criteria.

Catheter-guided suprachoroidal buckling of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments secondary to peripheral retinal breaks

PURPOSE

To evaluate functional and anatomic outcomes of eyes undergoing suprachoroidal buckling (SCB) using a specially designed catheter for the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) secondary to peripheral retinal breaks.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of 62 eyes of 62 patients. Subjects underwent SCB for the management of RRD secondary to single or multiple retinal breaks. Suprachoroidal indentation was achieved through the introduction of viscoelastic material in the suprachoroidal space overlying the break using an illuminated, 450 μm-wide, flex-tip catheter. This allowed for the creation of a suprachoroidal dome and chorio-retinal apposition. Forty-seven eyes (80 %) underwent SCB alone, while 15 eyes (20 %) were combined with 25-G pars-plana vitrectomy. Cryopexy and laserpexy were used in 38 (61 %) and 24 of eyes (39 %) respectively.

RESULTS

Mean pre-operative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from logMAR 0.82 (20/132) to 0.22 (20/33) (p < 0.0001). The single surgery reattachment rate was 92 % (57/62.) Final retinal reattachment was achieved in all eyes (100 %). No significant difference was observed in single-surgery anatomic success rates when stratified by lens status, macular involvement, or break location. There were no major intra- or post-operative complications.

CONCLUSION

Suprachoroidal buckling using a special-design, flexible catheter is a safe and effective procedure for the management of RRD secondary to peripheral retinal breaks.

"Tag-Team" Orbital and Strabismus Surgeries with Immediate Reconstruction After Tumor Excision Metastatic to the Inferior Rectus

Carcinoid tumors are rare, slow-growing, low-grade neuroendocrine tumors with a propensity for orbital metastatic spread. The typical treatment paradigm for localized orbital disease involves excision, adjuvant radiotherapy, and/or receptor-targeted chemotherapy, followed by delayed evaluation for reconstructive strabismus surgery. We present a 58-year-old female patient with carcinoid tumor metastatic to the right inferior rectus muscle who presented with worsening binocular diplopia. The patient underwent coordinated "tag-team" orbital and strabismus surgeries that included excision of the right inferior rectus muscle to the annulus of Zinn followed immediately by reconstructive strabismus surgery. The patient required 1 additional strabismus surgery 1 year later. Follow up revealed no tumor recurrence at 4 years, and excellent binocular vision with good function. Deep orbital and strabismus surgeries, when performed simultaneously in a "tag-team" approach, may offer superior functional outcomes and improved patient quality of life, with expedited functional recovery. This approach may become a new treatment paradigm for surgical disease processes localized to the extraocular muscles.

Treatment modalities of thyroid related orbitopathy

Aims:

The aim was to highlight recent advances in the treatment of thyroid eye disease.

Settings and Design:

Review article.

Materials and Methods:

Existing literature and the authors’ experience was reviewed.

Results:

Thyroid ophthalmopathy is a disfiguring and vision-threatening complication of autoimmune thyroid disease that may develop or persist even in the setting of well-controlled systemic thyroid status. Treatment response can be difficult to predict, and optimized algorithms for disease management do not exist. Thyroid ophthalmopathy should be graded for both severity and disease activity before choosing a treatment modality for each patient. The severity of the disease may not correlate directly with the activity; medical treatment is most effective in active disease, and surgery is usually reserved for quiescent disease with persistent proptosis and/or eyelid changes.

Conclusions:

Intravenous pulsed corticosteroids, orbital radiotherapy, and orbital surgical techniques form the mainstay of current management of thyroid ophthalmopathy. Immunosuppressive and biologic agents may have a role in treating active disease although additional safety and efficacy studies are needed.

Iatrogenic diplopia [corrected]

Diplopia is a very disturbing condition that has been reported as a complication of several surgical procedures. The following review aims to identify the ocular and nonocular surgical techniques more often associated with this undesirable result. Diplopia is reported as an adverse outcome of some neurosurgical procedures, dental procedures, endoscopic paranasal sinus surgery, and several ophthalmic procedures. The most common patterns and some recommendations in order to prevent and treat this frustrating outcome are also given.

Strabismus following implantable anterior intraocular lens surgery

Strabismus in adults is increasing and has recently become an important focus of attention due to the development of refractive surgery techniques. In this case, permanent strabismus developed in a woman with previous high myopia after implantable anterior intraocular lens surgery. An ophthalmologic examination revealed the presence of a lens which was placed slightly downward in relation to the center of visual axis in the anterior chambers and up-drawn pupils in both eyes. The prismatic effect due to lens decentration may be the main cause of strabismus. Therefore, we suggest precise intraocular lens insertion and placement technique during surgery as well as careful ophthalmologic assessment including cover/uncover tests in all candidates for refractive surgery and full ocular motility evaluation if there is any doubt about binocular issues.

Nonsurgical management of diplopia

Diplopia is a potential undesirable outcome of nearly any ocular surgery. In some cases, the unexpected strabismus and diplopia resolve quickly without intervention, especially if due to swelling or minor insult from the surgical procedure. When double vision persists, effective treatment may be more elusive in patients in which the strabismus is the result of a restrictive process. The sudden onset of strabismus makes treatment more challenging. Frequently these patients will require surgical intervention. Where possible, patients may be managed with nonsurgical treatments until the time of surgery or indefinitely if successful and acceptable to the patient. Diplopia has been documented as a result of restrictive strabismus following vitreoretinal surgery, glaucoma surgery, orbital decompression surgery, strabismus surgery, orbital surgery, conjunctival surgery, cataract surgery, blepharoplasty, and others. The treatment of diplopia after ocular surgery is complicated by the incomitance and torsion that may be associated with restrictive strabismus as well as the variability of the deviation during healing. Nonsurgical treatment options include prisms or occlusion. Fresnel prisms are used primarily, but occasionally the prism is ground into the spectacles. Occlusion of the involved eye may be partial or complete, using a "pirate" patch, adhesive patch, Bangerter foil, tape, or related method.

Surgical management of strabismus following vitreo-retinal surgery

Motility disorders and strabismus after vitreo-retinal surgical intervention have multiple etiologic factors. The main focus here is strabismus following scleral buckling surgery. The preoperative evaluation of these patients must be inclusive for restrictions, redirected muscle forces, adherence syndromes, muscle weakness, and visual sensory disturbance. Restoration of binocular function is generally the goal of surgical intervention, but paramount to surgery is assessing the potential for binocular function. Surgical techniques for overcoming the barriers to fusion are discussed with clinical vignettes to illustrate the principal. Surgery, which is appropriately planned, based on theses principals can by highly successful in restoring visual functioning.

Refractive surgery: a treatment for and a cause of strabismus

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this article is to review refractive surgery as a means of treatment for strabismus and as a potential cause of strabismus and binocular diplopia.

RECENT FINDINGS

Numerous studies have reported that refractive surgery is effective in correcting certain types of strabismus such as accommodative and partially accommodative esotropia. Studies on the treatment of exotropia related to anisometropia have demonstrated less favorable outcomes. In patients without manifest strabismus preoperatively, recent studies have shown that strabismus and diplopia can occur after refractive surgery. Appropriate clinical testing and risk stratification are essential to determine whether a patient is at increased risk for postoperative strabismus and diplopia.

SUMMARY

Refractive surgery can be useful in patients with accommodative and partially accommodative esotropia. A thorough history and clinical examination is extremely important to expose potential risk factors in all patients undergoing refractive surgery. Based on the designated risk level, more advanced testing may be warranted.