Refractive effect of the horizontal rectus muscle recession

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Outcomes
• Refractive Error

Background:

• Strabismus surgery, specifically horizontal rectus muscle recession, aims to correct eye alignment.
• Understanding potential refractive and corneal changes post-surgery is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate refractive and corneal topographic alterations following horizontal rectus muscle recession surgery.

Main Methods:

• A noncomparative interventional case series involving 49 eyes of 27 patients (24 exotropic, 25 esotropic).
• Ophthalmic examinations including cycloplegic refraction were performed pre-surgery and at 1 and 3 months post-surgery.
• Corneal topography was assessed preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively.

Main Results:

• Medial rectus recession showed statistically significant myopic shifts and increased astigmatic power at 1 and 3 months.
• Lateral rectus recession resulted in non-statistically significant myopic shifts but a significant shift towards with-the-rule astigmatism.
• Corneal power significantly reduced by less than 0.3 diopters after recession of either medial or lateral rectus muscles.

Conclusions:

• Refractive and corneal topographic changes after horizontal rectus muscle recession were statistically significant but not clinically remarkable.
• Routine early cycloplegic refraction post-surgery may not be essential.
• Accurate refraction for strabismus should be completed within 3 months of surgery.