Abstract
Purpose: :
Changes in refractive error after strabismus surgery occur secondary to changes in corneal curvature. The change in refractive error is usually transient but may lead to a temporary decrease in vision. We compared the change in corneal curvature following strabismus surgery in eyes utilizing a hang–back technique to eyes undergoing conventional surgery
Methods: :
Sixteen patients undergoing bilateral medial or lateral rectus recessions were prospectively entered into the study. One eye was randomly selected to undergo conventional strabismus surgery and the other eye underwent strabismus surgery using the hang–back technique. Keratometry measurements were taken in the operating room immediately prior to and immediately after surgery. The change in corneal curvature was calculated and analyzed for each technique.
Results: :
The mean change in corneal curvature was –0.06 D for the hang–back group and + 0.18 D for the conventional group. The change in corneal curvature between the two groups was not statistically significant although there was a trend toward a smaller change in the hang–back group. All eyes undergoing hang–back surgery had a change within 1 D whereas only 75% of those eyes undergoing conventional surgery fell within the same range.
Conclusions: :
Patients undergoing strabismus surgery utilizing a hang–back technique showed a trend towards less change in corneal curvature following surgery; however it was not statistically significant. No eye undergoing hang–back surgery experienced a change in corneal curvature greater than 1 D while 25% of those undergoing conventional surgery did. Patients undergoing strabismus surgery using a hang–back technique may be less likely to notice a change in their vision in the immediate postoperative period.
Keywords: strabismus: treatment • strabismus • astigmatism