Surgical treatment in nystagmus

To evaluate the effect of symmetric recession surgery on all four horizontal rectus muscles in the treatment of patients with congenital motor nystagmus and sensory nystagmus secondary to albinism, dyschromatopsia and degenerative myopia.

Prospectively, four patients with a diagnosis of congenital motor nystagmus and eight patients with sensory nystagmus were operated on. The amount of recession was determined according to the ocular alignment of the patients. Electronystagmographic recordings were conducted in every patient pre-operatively and post-operatively, as well as an ophthalmological examination.

Mean age of the patients at the time of the first visit was 6.7 +/- 4.2 years (range 9 months to 14 years) and mean age at the time of operation was 8.3 +/- 2.7 years (range 6-14 years). In 8 cases an equal amount of weakening of the four horizontal recti was done, whereas in 2 cases more recession on the lateral recti due to exotropia and in 2 cases more recession on the medial recti due to esotropia was performed. Mean follow-up time was 15.8 months (min. 6 months, max. 28 months). Improvement in visual function was achieved in 7 patients. Amplitude decreased in 9 patients. One patient had a decrease in visual acuity due to progression of her primary macular degeneration. Improvement in head posture was seen in 3 patients and there was no change in the head posture in 2 patients. One patient acquired head posture after surgery. Restriction of motility was seen in none of the patients after surgery in spite of large amounts of recession. Recession of horizontal recti decreased nystagmus amplitude and frequency in 81.8% of patients. Improvement in visual function, measured as an increase in visual acuity in terms of Snellen lines, was achieved in 63.6% of patients.

Symmetric recession of the horizontal rectus muscles is shown to be a successful procedure to perform in nystagmus patients, resulting in an increase in visual acuity and a decrease in nystagmus amplitude and frequency. It is a reliable alternative to the Kestenbaum operation and is easier to perform surgically.