Clinical features of strabismus in patients with congenital optic disc anomaly

To investigate the clinical features of strabismus in patients with congenital optic disc anomaly and compare and analyze the characteristics of patients who showed changes in the strabismus pattern with those who did not.

Medical records of the patients who were diagnosed with both strabismus and congenital optic disc anomaly and followed-up for ≥1 year were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical characteristics and ophthalmic features at the initial visit and final follow-up were assessed. Patients with a change in the direction of strabismus or a difference of >10 prism diopters in the deviation angle during the follow-up period were allocated to the changed group. The remaining patients were assigned to the unchanged group. The clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared.

Twenty-eight patients (15 boys) were included (mean age, 39.0 months; range, 5-150 months). Three (10.7%) patients were born preterm and four (14.3%) had other underlying systemic disease. Sixteen (57.1%) patients had exotropia, and 12 (42.9%) had esotropia. Concurrent vertical strabismus was present in three (10.7%) patients. Strabismus features changed in 14 (50.0%, changed group) patients and remained unchanged in 14 (50.0%, unchanged group) patients. Age, sex, and laterality did not differ between groups. Preterm birth history (n = 3) and combined systemic disease (n = 4) were only observed in the changed group (p = 0.111 and p = 0.049, respectively).

Considering the possibility of changes in strabismic features, close monitoring of patients with strabismus combined with congenital disc anomaly is essential, particularly in those with preterm birth history or underlying systemic conditions.