Surgical treatment of strabismus in adults

Abstract

Introduction: Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other. According to specialized literature the estimated prevalence of strabismus in the general population is 4%. Normal binocular vision is required for many occupational tasks and other activities in daily life. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of strabismus are critical for minimizing the adverse effects of strabismus and enhance the patient’s quality of life.

Materials and methods: The base of this research is a retrospective study of 56 patients with convergent squint who were treated in the Ophthalmology Section of Clinical Republican Hospital, Chisinau in the period 2013 – 2015. Examination of patients was performed by collecting the following dates: probable time of onset of strabismus, nature of onset, frequency of deviation, previous treatment (if any, type and results). In addition, all patients were exposed to an ocular examination that included appreciation of: visual acuity, ocular motor deviation, monocular fixation, accommodation, sensorimotor fusion and refraction.

Results: The average diagnostic age of patients was 28 years, with limits between 18 and 62 years, the biggest incidence of strabismus was in the age group between 20-29 years. 34 (60%) from patients were female and 23 (40%) were male. There were 42 cases of convergent strabismus neglected from childhood, 8 cases of sensory esotropia and 6 cases of consecutive esotropia. According to visual acuity 19 patients (38%) presented isoacuity, 17 patients (34%) presented amblyopia, the incidence of amblyopia of 64,8% in esotropia and 35,2% in exotropia. The preoperative mean degree of deviation was -38,2PD. Postoperative success rate was 79,7% (degree of deviation up to 10 PD) with binocular vision amelioration (Bagollini positive) in 21% of cases.

Conclusions: Strabismus surgery in adults is not only cosmetic. It is reconstructive, and it has marked functional benefits, including the restoration of normal alignment and binocularity.