Changes in refractive error and axial length after horizontal muscle surgery for strabismus

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Strabismus Surgery
• Refractive Error

Background:

• Horizontal muscle surgery is a common treatment for intermittent exotropia.
• Understanding postoperative refractive changes is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate refractive error changes after horizontal muscle surgery.
• To analyze the relationship between refractive changes and axial length.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of patients undergoing bilateral lateral rectus recession or unilateral recession/resection.
• Evaluation of refractive error, axial length, and corneal astigmatism at baseline and postoperatively.

Main Results:

• A transient myopic shift and increased axial length were observed 1 day post-surgery.
• These changes returned to baseline within 1 month and remained stable.
• A significant negative correlation existed between axial length and refractive error changes.

Conclusions:

• Horizontal muscle surgery induces a temporary myopic shift.
• Axial length elongation and corneal astigmatism changes contribute to this shift.
• Refractive changes are transient and resolve within a month.