Anterior segment angiography in strabismus surgery

Anterior ciliary arteries travelling along recti muscles provide anterior segment vascularization, which can be compromised by surgery involving more than 2 muscles.

We studied retrospectively the files of 10 patients in whom a fluorescein angiography of the iris had been performed as a pre-operative assessment prior to a second or third oculomotor surgery.

The median age of the patients was 47.5 years (range 15 to 73 years). Relative iris ischemia was present in 4 patients following multiple surgeries, none of them presenting any general cardiovascular risk. The initial surgical protocol was modified according to angiographic results in these 4 patients.

When further surgery has to be performed on previously multi-operated patients, anterior segment angiography can be useful in the planning of surgery in order to minimize the risks of anterior segment ischemia.