A 2020 Update on 20/20 X 2: Diplopia after Ocular Surgery: Diplopia after Orbital Surgery

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Ophthalmic Surgery

Background:

• Orbital surgery, including decompression for thyroid eye disease and orbital fracture repair, can lead to strabismus.
• Diplopia (double vision) is a potential complication following various orbital surgical procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the incidence and causes of strabismus after prior orbital surgery.
• To identify specific orbital surgical procedures most frequently associated with post-operative diplopia.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 261 strabismus surgeries.
• Analysis of surgical history, focusing on prior orbital interventions.

Main Results:

• Diplopia most commonly occurred after orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease and orbital fracture repair.
• Other orbital surgeries accounted for a smaller proportion of strabismus cases.
• In most instances, underlying disease or trauma, rather than the orbital surgery itself, was the primary cause of strabismus.

Conclusions:

• Post-operative strabismus following orbital surgery is frequently linked to the primary condition being treated.
• While surgical misadventure can cause diplopia, it is less common than disease-related factors.
• Understanding the etiology is crucial for managing strabismus after orbital procedures.