The management of strabismus in adults--III. The effects on disability.

INTRODUCTION: This is the third article in a series on the various facets of the management of strabismus in adults. Here, we give a broad overview of the types and severity of disability and provide initial validation of an instrument (questionnaire) to assess these disability aspects. METHODS: After undergoing strabismus surgery, 101 patients from 6 centers completed a 6-item questionnaire in which they rated both the before-surgery and after-surgery severity of problems associated with their strabismus, ranging from specific health, daily functioning, social interaction, concerns about the future, and self-image to job-related difficulties. RESULTS: The before-surgery outcomes showed significant variation across the 6 types of problems (P < 0.001), with "specific health" and "daily tasks" yielding the highest problem rating. Patients with diplopia reported more severe problems with "daily tasks" (P = 0.004) and "concerns about the future" (P = 0.026) than patients without diplopia. Overall, all problem ratings declined after surgery (P < 0.001), but patients who were not successfully aligned were left with higher problem ratings on "specific health" (P = 0.005), "daily tasks" (P = 0.003), and "social interaction" (P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a wide range of disability aspects in adult patients with strabismus, with moderate differences between patients with or without diplopia. Improvements in disability after surgery, as reflected by these ratings, should be taken into account when assessing the health value of adult strabismus management.     

The management of strabismus in adults--I. Clinical characteristics and treatment.

INTRODUCTION: This is the first in a series of articles intended to evaluate the management of strabismus in adults, including clinical outcomes and the quality, cost, and value of treatment from the perspectives of patients and health care providers. Here we present clinical characteristics, complexity of surgery, treatment success, and resolved complaints in a group of adult patients who underwent strabismus surgery. METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective study analyzing the type and amount of ocular misalignment before and after surgery in adult patients with strabismus onset before (BVM, or age < 9 years) or after (AVM, or age >/= 9 years) visual maturation. Success was evaluated in terms of alignment, motility, and the presence of diplopia; subjective success was measured in terms of resolved complaints. The complexity of surgery was determined using the Intensity/Complexity Index and compared with success rates. RESULTS: Data are reported on 299 patients (90 BVM and 145 AVM) whose eyes were successfully aligned in 63% of the BVM cases and 81% of the AVM cases. Subjective complaints resolved at similar rates in the BVM and AVM subgroups. Successful alignment was not correlated with complexity of surgery, but motility and sensory success rates were correlated with complexity of surgery. CONCLUSION: Within each of the BVM and AVM subgroups, this study of adult strabismus showed similar surgical success rates compared with published data. This qualifies these patient groups as clinically typical of adults undergoing strabismus surgery. Additional studies will expand on health value analyses.     

斜视矫正术对共同性斜视患者双眼视觉功能的影响

目的 探讨共同性斜视患者接受斜视矫正手术前后双眼视觉功能的改变及其影响因素。设计 回顾性病例系列。研究对象 北京同仁医院2013年12月至2014年8月进行斜视矫正术的共同性斜视患者191例。方法 将患者按斜视类型分为共同性内斜视组、恒定性外斜视组和间歇性外斜视组;按手术时年龄分为≤9岁组和＞9岁组。观察术前、术后1、3个月双眼视觉功能。主要指标 同视机双眼视觉三级功能及近立体视功能。结果 191例患者中,术前分别有26.7%、19.4%、11.0%及41.9%的患者具备同视机Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ级及近立体视功能,术后1个月分别提高至90.1%、64.4%、33.0%及57.1%,术后3个月分别提高至94.8%、79.1%、37.7%及63.9%,与术前相比均有统计学差异（P均＜0.001）。术前,间歇性外斜视组38.1%、29.5%及72.4%的患者具备同视机Ⅰ、Ⅱ级及近立体视功能,高于另两组（P＜0.01）。术后3个月,间歇性外斜视组93.3%、48.6%及87.6%的患者具备同视机Ⅱ、Ⅲ级及近立体视功能,高于另两组（P均＜0.05）;恒定性外斜视组55.8%的患者具备近立体视功能,共同性内斜视组为14.0%（P＜0.001）。＞9岁组,术前28.1%、21.9%、14.6%及31.3%的患者具备同视机Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ级及近立体视功能,术后3个月分别提高至93.8%、75.0%、37.5%及58.3%,与术前相比均有统计学差异（P＜0.01）。结论 斜视矫正术有助于共同性斜视患者双眼视觉功能的改善;间歇性外斜视患者术前术后双眼视觉功能优于其他类型斜视;大龄斜视患者术后也可能获得双眼视觉功能的改善。     

Characteristics and outcomes of strabismus surgery after orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease.

PURPOSE: To compare characteristics and outcomes of strabismus surgery in patients who have undergone orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease with those who have not. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A chart review of all patients with thyroid eye disease requiring strabismus surgery in one physician's practice. RESULTS: There were 36 patients in the decompression group (DG) and 14 patients in the no-decompression group (NDG). There was a significantly greater amount of preoperative esotropia in the DG ( P = 0.02). There was an increased incidence of A-pattern in the DG ( P = 0.09). There was a slightly higher number of operated muscles in the DG ( P = 0.005). A good or excellent outcome was achieved in 93% of the NDG and in 94% of the DG ( P = 0.83). DISCUSSION: Previous studies suggest that patients requiring orbital decompression have a more complex thyroid eye disease and a lower success rate after strabismus surgery. Our findings suggest that this is not necessarily the case, and the difference in surgical success rates between the studies may in part be due to orbital decompression technique or indication. CONCLUSION: In this series, using a fixed suture technique, outcomes of strabismus surgery in patients with thyroid eye disease who underwent orbital decompression are similar to those who did not.     

The impact of strabismus on quality of life in adults with and without diplopia: a systematic review

Strabismus affects approximately 4% of the adult population and can cause substantial physical disturbance and changes to appearance. This article aims to examine the impact of strabismus in adults both with and without diplopia, focusing primarily on quality of life (QoL). We highlight the value of measuring QoL, assess the ways in which it can be measured, and the impact the disease, diplopia, and surgery have on the patient. QoL differs for strabismus patients based on their diplopia status. Patients with diplopia tend to have more concerns relating to functional QoL, whereas patients without diplopia have primarily psychosocial concerns. Two diplopia-specific questionnaires have been designed to assess QoL and the perceived severity of symptoms. Further research is needed to identify the variables which influence QoL so that appropriate support can be given to all patients with strabismus to improve their QoL.     

The perception of strabismus by children and adults

Background  

Visible strabismus has been shown to have adverse psychosocial consequences. It remains controversial if esotropia or exotropia is perceived more negatively. The aim of this study was to determine if esotropia or exotropia and the eye (side) in which strabismus is present are perceived differently. We also asked our adult participants: (1) if they thought visible strabismus should be corrected by surgery, (2) if they thought that strabismus surgery should only be to improve the cosmesis, and (3) if they thought that the surgery should be paid for by health insurance.     

Combined strabismus and lens surgery.

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous eye muscle and lens surgery in patients with strabismus and lens abnormalities offers the advantage of avoiding staged surgery. METHODS: Thirty-three combined strabismus and lens surgeries were performed on 30 patients who ranged in age from 22 months to 91 years. Fifteen of the strabismus procedures were performed for esotropia, 12 for exotropia, 4 for vertical deviations, and 2 for combined vertical-horizontal deviations. Surgical amounts often were reduced to lessen the risk of overcorrection, to minimize anesthetic requirements (when using topical rather than general anesthesia), or to avoiding additional surgery on the contralateral or ipsilateral eye. The intraocular surgeries included cataract extraction without or with posterior chamber intraocular lens, secondary intraocular lens implantation, and YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. In 28 cases, muscle and intraocular surgery was performed on the same eye, and in 5 cases the strabismus surgery was performed on the eye opposite the intraocular surgery. RESULTS: The average length of postoperative follow-up was 23.2 months (range, 1-94 months). Surgical, anesthetic, and postoperative complications, other than unsatisfactory ocular alignment, were limited to one retinal detachment in a patient with persistent fetal vasculature. Strabismic undercorrections (>12(Delta) of horizontal deviation or >5(Delta) of vertical deviation) occurred in 11 cases (37%). There were no overcorrections. A poor visual response (<20/50) to the intraocular surgery was encountered in 6 patients, all as the result of amblyopia or preexisting vitreoretinal pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous extraocular muscle and lens surgery is an option for patients with strabismus and lens abnormalities. Standard strabismus surgical amounts are recommended.     

Factors influencing stereoacuity outcomes in adults with acquired strabismus

PURPOSE: Functional improvements of binocular vision after strabismus surgery in adults are common but not well understood. In a prospective study, factors associated with stereoacuity outcome in patients with strabismus acquired following binocular vision maturation were investigated. DESIGN: Prospective data collection. METHODS: Twenty-three patients aged 14 to 85 years with acquired strabismus were enrolled. Random dot stereoacuity was quantified using a battery of tests including the Randot Preschool Stereoacuity test, the Randot (version 2) shapes test, and the Randot Butterfly test. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent of patients achieved measurable stereoacuity following successful eye realignment. Better median stereoacuity is achieved in patients with the following characteristics: < or =12 months of constant strabismus (60 vs 400 seconds of arc with >12 months' strabismus, P < .001); a presurgical capacity for fine to moderate stereopsis (60 vs 400 seconds of arc with coarse or no measurable stereopsis, P < .005); a presurgical capacity for macular fusion (60 vs 400 seconds of arc with no measurable macular fusion capacity, P < .001); and postsurgical orthotropia (100 seconds of arc) or intermittent orthotropia (100 seconds of arc vs 2000 seconds of arc with 5 to 8 prism diopters (PD) of postsurgical residual strabismus, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Surgical correction of acquired strabismus is associated with recovery of stereopsis. Factors associated with stereoacuity outcomes include duration of strabismus and presurgical binocular vision capacity. A postsurgical correction of orthotropia or intermittent orthotropia supports better stereoacuity than a larger residual angle of strabismus subtending up to 8 PD of deviation.     

Single-stage adjustable strabismus surgery for restrictive strabismus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and stability of ocular alignment of single-stage adjustable strabismus surgery (SSASS) in restrictive strabismus. METHODS: This was an observational case series comprising 12 patients with restrictive strabismus (mean age, 54.8 years) who were treated with SSASS using intravenous midazolam, fentanyl, and topical anesthesia. All were studied in a retrospective institutional manner. The refractive strabismus in 7 patients was caused by dysthyroid orbitopathy. Five patients had undergone previous ocular surgery, and 4 had undergone previous strabismus surgery. SSASS typically involved the vertical rectus muscles. Horizontal rectus muscles were adjusted when necessary. Silicon-treated polyester suture material (Ti-cron; United States Surgical, Norwalk, CT no longer available), 6-0, were used for inferior rectus recessions. Ocular alignment was set at ortho at the end of surgery and evaluated at 2 days, 6 weeks, and 3 months after surgery. The typical hang-back procedure was to lock the suture at the middle and edges of the tendon or muscle at the intended disinsertion point. The tendon was then disinserted and hung back from the original insertion with adjustments until the desired position (ortho) and single vision were attained. RESULTS: All patients remained comfortable throughout surgery and had no significant postoperative discomfort. All patients except 2 (16.6%) maintained satisfactory vertical alignment (<2 prism diopters). These 2 patients with dysthyroid orbitopathy had progressive overcorrection after inferior rectus recession. CONCLUSIONS: SSASS, using intravenous midazolam, fentanyl, and topical anesthesia, is a safe and precise alternative treatment for patients with restrictive strabismus including those with dysthyroid orbitopathy.     

关注斜视对患者生存质量的影响

斜视患者的生存质量状况越来越受到重视,研究发现儿童和成年斜视患者均伴有不同程度的社会心理障碍、视功能异常等显著影响生存质量状况的因素。目前临床上已有经过评估的专用于斜视患者的生存质量评估量表,通过量表评估发现手术后患者生存质量显著改善,量表得分与手术效果显著相关,有研究建议生存质量评估可作为手术后效果的评价手段之一。临床上应更重视患者的生存质量评估,来指导斜视治疗,提高患者满意度。     

Adjustable recessions in horizontal comitant strabismus: A pilot study

Aim:

To compare the surgical outcome of adjustable with the conventional recession in patients with horizontal comitant strabismus.

Patients and Methods:

A prospective comparative nonrandomized interventional pilot study was performed on patients with horizontal comitant strabismus. Fifty-four patients (27 in each group) were allocated into 2 groups to undergo either adjustable suture (AS) recession or non-AS (NAS) recession along with conventional resection. The patients were followed up for 6 months. A successful outcome was defined as deviation ±10 prism diopters at 6 months. The results were statistically analyzed by Chi-square test, Fisher''s exact test, and Student''s t-test.

Results:

A successful outcome was found in 24 (88.8%) patients in AS and 17 (62.9%) in NAS group (P = 0.02). The postoperative adjustment was done in 13 (48.1%) patients in AS group. There was one complication (tenon''s cyst) in AS group.

Conclusion:

AS recession may be considered in all cooperative patients undergoing strabismus surgery for comitant deviations.     

Social and emotional impact of strabismus surgery on quality of life in children.

PURPOSE: Improved quality of life after strabismus surgery has been demonstrated in adults, but has not been extensively studied in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychosocial effects of childhood strabismus surgery. METHODS: This was a prospective interventional study. A modified version of the RAND Health Insurance Study quality of life instrument was administered to parents or guardians of children with strabismus. The questionnaire was administered by telephone interviews conducted by trained staff before and 2 months after corrective surgery. RESULTS: Ninety-eight children with a mean age of 4.5 (+/-3.3) years were studied. Reliability measures (Cronbach's alpha coefficients) indicate that the questionnaire has good internal consistency (alpha > 0.7 in most subscales). Compared with before surgery, significant improvements were noted after surgery, especially within the functional limitations (paired Student's t -test, P = 0.01), social relations ( P < 0.01), general health perceptions ( P < 0.01), and developmental satisfaction ( P < 0.01) subscales. CONCLUSIONS: Parental proxies can provide meaningful measures of children's response to strabismus surgery. Statistically significant improvements were observed in social, emotional, and functional measures of the children's health status. As previously documented for adults, this study shows that psychosocial benefits afforded by strabismus surgery also contribute to an improvement in quality of life for children.     

Learning curves for strabismus surgery in two ophthalmologists

Purpose:

To identify the average turning point by comparing the learning curves of two surgeons learning to perform strabismus surgery.

Materials and Methods:

Patients who underwent procedures to correct exotropia between January 2010 and December 2014 followed for at least 3 months were retrospectively assessed. The first 70 patients on whom each of two ophthalmologists (A and B) performed surgery to treat strabismus were divided into 7 cohorts comprising 10 patients each based on the chronological order of the surgery. Factors, including patient age, preoperative angle of deviation, operative time, and success or failure of the operation, were compared between the two surgeons. Learning curves were calculated based on changes in operative time and operation success rate. Operation success was determined by measuring the angle of deviation at a distance of 5 m 3 months after the operation.

Results:

A turning point was observed after 40 cases for Surgeon A and 50 cases for Surgeon B based on the operative time learning curve. No turning point was observed in the operation success rate learning curve based on the absence of a specific trend. Success rate by cohort was not significantly different between the two surgeons (P > 0.05). Surgeon B had a significantly longer mean operative time than Surgeon A (P = 0.045).

Conclusions:

Approximately 50 cases are required for an ophthalmologist to reach a turning point in strabismus surgery. This outcome can be used as a guideline when training surgeons to perform strabismus surgery.     

Comitant strabismus

A review of the literature on comitant strabismus of the period from April 1999 until April 2000 is presented. A rather new and increasingly important issue is the psychosocial aspect of strabismus. Two studies have demonstrated that strabismus creates a significant negative social prejudice on the patients and that it can significantly reduce an applicant's ability to obtain employment. Subsequently, strabismus surgery can no longer be called "cosmetic". Concerning the timing of surgery in congenital esotropia, it was reported that early surgery does not ensure continued alignment, but frequently requires additional operations. The increased risk of early-onset strabismus in prematurely born children was confirmed by several studies, and the importance of regular ophthalmologic controls of all preterm infants screened for retinopathy of prematurity was stressed. It was reported that risk factors are cicatricial retinopathy of prematurity, refractive error, family history of strabismus, and poor neurodevelopmental outcome, rather than low gestational age and regressed acute retinopathy of prematurity. A number of other aspects of interest concerning exotropia, esotropia, and dissociated vertical deviation are presented in this review.     

Adults with strabismus seek surgery for pyschosocial benefits

Background/PurposeThe goal of strabismus surgery is to align the eyes, help eliminate diplopia, and restore and/or expand binocular visual function. Adults with strabismus are subjected to psychosocial prejudices, and many patients seek strabismus correction for these reasons.MethodsA surgical audit was performed on 91 adult patients, by a singular surgeon. The type of strabismus, preoperative measurements, and indications for surgery were obtained from the patient notes, as were all final outcomes. Final measurements, on average, were taken at 16 weeks postoperatively, and patients were asked to comment subjectively on their outcome.ResultsThe majority of patients were seeking surgery for combined psychosocial and cosmetic reasons (78.4%), or combined psychosocial and functional indications (9.6%), whereas the remainder were seeking surgery for functional indications only. Eighty-three percent of patients reached the desired surgical outcome of <10 prism dioptres; 97.6% were satisfied or very satisfied with their surgery, with the remaining patients having a neutral standpoint, and none were dissatisfied.ConclusionAdult strabismus surgery is highly successful and provides patients with a good level of satisfaction. Many patients seek surgical correction for cosmesis and psychosocial benefits.     

Scleral penetrations and perforations in strabismus surgery and associated risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence and identify associated risk factors of scleral penetrations and perforations resulting from strabismus surgery. METHODS: A prospective observational study of patients undergoing strabismus surgery by residents or fellows was conducted. The surgical techniques employed included recessions, resections, advancements, posterior fixation sutures, and transpositions. Indirect ophthalmoscopy was performed on each operated eye following surgery to identify any retinal changes indicative of a penetration or perforation. RESULTS: Of the 144 patients and 217 operated eyes, 11 sustained penetrations (5.1%), and 6 perforations (2.8%). On a per muscle procedure basis, the incidence of penetrations was 4.3% and of perforations 1.9%. The mean age at surgery for patients who experienced perforations was 4.8 years (+/- 5.3), which was less than those with penetrations or those without any complications (P = .016). The surgeon's experience was not related to the frequency of these complications. Penetrations or perforations were more likely to occur with rectus muscle recessions than resections (P = .0067). Horizontal rectus muscles were most frequently associated with penetrations and perforations when compared to vertical rectus and oblique muscles (P = .003). The S-24 needle was more frequently involved in the penetrations and perforations than other needles (P = .027). CONCLUSIONS: In order to reduce the risk of scleral penetrations or perforations, surgeons should exercise caution when performing strabismus surgery in younger patients, when using S-24 needles, and when performing rectus muscle recessions. This study has demonstrated, for the first time with statistical significance, that recessions are more often associated with penetrations and perforations than other types of strabismus procedures.     

Early strabismus surgery for thyroid ophthalmopathy

ObjectiveTo determine whether strabismus surgery during active thyroid ophthalmopathy is beneficial for selected patients.DesignCase series.ParticipantsEight patients with severe restrictive strabismus due to thyroid ophthalmopathy underwent early strabismus surgery and were followed for a minimum of 16 months after their initial surgery.InterventionAll eight patients underwent strabismus surgery while their thyroid ophthalmopathy was evolving.Main outcome measuresSuccess was determined by the ability to fuse in the primary position at distance and near without an abnormal head position, and the absence of vision-threatening complications related to strabismus surgery.ResultsAll eight patients achieved successful long-term alignment. Four patients (50%) required more than one operation.ConclusionsStrabismus surgery during active thyroid ophthalmopathy can result in long-term stable alignment and may be a useful alternative in selected patients with marked disability due to thyroid ophthalmopathy.     

Surgical results of patients with A-pattern horizontal strabismus.

PURPOSE: To investigate the surgical results of patients having horizontal strabismus with A-pattern associated with superior oblique overaction (SOOA). METHODS: Twenty patients with horizontal strabismus (12 exotropia [XT] and 8 esotropia [ET] with no previous strabismus surgery) with SOOA-associated A-pattern were analyzed retrospectively. Motor success was defined as a horizontal deviation of 8 prism diopters (PD) or less, 6 PD or less of vertical deviation in all gazes, and no greater than 8 PD of A-pattern. Stereoacuity was measured using the Titmus test (Stereo Optical, Chicago, IL). RESULTS: Sixty percent of patients had successful results at the final examination. No significant difference was found between the XT and ET patients in preoperative and postoperative horizontal deviations in the primary position, A-pattern collapse, or success rate (P >.05). Four patients had an induced postoperative vertical deviation. Among eight patients without stereoacuity preoperatively, four showed an average of 910 seconds of arc (40 to 3000 seconds of arc) after surgery. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous surgery on the horizontal and SO muscles in patients with horizontal strabismus with SOOA-associated A-pattern can achieve a relatively high surgical success rate and restore binocular function.     

The cost utility of strabismus surgery in adults.

PURPOSE: Cost-utility analysis evaluates the cost of medical care in relation to the gain in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Our purpose was to develop a cost model for surgical care for adult strabismus, to estimate the mean cost per case, to determine the associated gain in QALYs, and to perform cost-utility analysis. METHODS: A cost model incorporated surgery, pre- and postoperative care, and a mean of 1.5 procedures per patient. The gain in QALYs was based on the improvement of utility on a scale from 0 (death) to 1 (perfect health). Utility was measured through physician-conducted interviews employing a time tradeoff question (seeking to estimate the portion of life expectancy a patient would be willing to trade for being rid of disease and associated effects). The interviews were conducted before and 5 to 8 weeks after surgery in 35 strabismic patients (age 19-75 years). RESULTS: The cost model resulted in an estimated total cost of 4,254 dollars per case. A significant improvement of utility was found: 0.96 +/- 0.11 postoperatively versus 0.85 +/- 0.20 preoperatively (p = 0.00008). Based on the mean life expectancy (36.0 years) of these patients, and discounting outcomes and costs by 3% annually, this resulted in a mean value gain of 2.61 QALYs after surgery and a cost-utility for strabismus surgery of 1,632 dollas/QALY. CONCLUSIONS: In the United States, treatments <50,000 dollars/QALY are generally considered "very cost-effective." Strabismus surgery in adults falls well within this range.