Indications and outcome of vertical rectus partial recessions

To assess the indications and results obtained with partial vertical recti recessions in patients with diplopia and small-angle vertical strabismus (≤10 dp).

A retrospective study was conducted on 9 patients that were operated on with partial temporal or nasal recession of the superior (SR) or inferior rectus (IR), during 2017. A good outcome was considered when diplopia was resolved in primary position and infraversion, at the end of follow-up.

A total of 9 cases were included, with a mean age 66.3 years (55.5% women), diagnosed with sixth nerve palsy (3), incomplete third nerve palsy (2), sagging eye (2), age related strabismus (1), and restrictive strabismus post-retinal surgery (1). Mean preoperative vertical deviation was 8.2 dp in primary position and the post-operative vertical deviation was 0.8 dp (mean difference was statistically significant, P=.007). In 4 cases, the SR was operated on (temporal pole in 3 and nasal in 1). The IR was operated on in 5 patients (temporal pole in 4 and nasal in 1). Mean recession was 3.77mm. In 55.5% of case diplopia was eliminated, and in a 33.3% a well-tolerated, intermittent diplopia persisted. A good outcome was obtained in 88.8% of the cases at the end of follow-up (mean: 7. 1 months), with no over-corrections.

Partial SR or IR recessions obtained good results in most of the cases with small angle vertical strabismus and diplopia. Although post-operative torsion or modification of the pre-operative torsion was not observed, a prior study should be made of torsion.