The surgical treatment of traumatic Brown syndrome

We present the results of surgical treatment in 13 patients who attended Moorfields Eye Hospital with traumatic Brown syndrome between 1975 and 1990. The average age was 34 years (range, 18 to 46 years), and in 12 cases the cause was a road traffic accident. Diplopia was the indication for surgery in all cases. Most patients had two surgical procedures; but in two patients, three were required. The outcome was assessed both subjectively and objectively. Objective assessment was by analysis of the preoperative and postoperative fields of binocular single vision and Hess charts which were available for 11 patients. The Hess charts were analyzed using a new scoring system. At final follow up, subjective improvement had occurred in 7 patients, 3 patients reported no improvement, and 3 patients thought their symptoms were worse. The field of binocular single vision improved in 8 patients and was worse in 3 patients. The Hess chart improved in 8 patients and was worse in 3 patients. The management of this difficult condition is discussed.