Strabismus Following Scleral Buckling Surgery

To assess the incidence of strabismus, relationship of strabismus with type and width of scleral buckle after scleral buckling surgery for retinal detachment.

Retrospective analysis was done of 360 eyes of 344 patients treated for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with scleral buckling surgery between January 2008 and January 2013.

The mean age of patients was 38.45 ± 18.12 years (range: 7 to 89 years). Strabismus was detected in 48 out of 344 (13.95%) patients at 6 weeks after scleral buckling surgery. Horizontal deviation was the commonest type. Incidence of strabismus was higher after repeat scleral buckling surgery (4/9, 44.4%) compared to patients who had single scleral buckling surgery (44/335, 13.1%) (P=0.02). Strabismus was observed in 18.5% of patients with implants, compared to 11.3% of patients who received explants (P=0.02). Strabismus surgery was performed on 2 (4.1%) cases.

Horizontal strabismus is common after scleral buckling surgery for repair of retinal detachment. Repeat scleral buckling and use of implants resulted in a higher incidence of strabismus in the postoperative period. Majority of these cases resolve with conservative management.