Relationship between retraction and refraction values in patients with Duane's retraction syndrome

To evaluate refractive findings in patients with unilateral Duane's retraction syndrome (DRS).

This retrospective study included 40 patients followed for unilateral DRS. Detailed ophthalmological examinations of the patients were performed. The spherical and cylindrical refractive error, spherical equivalent, and type of refractive error in the eyes with DRS and the fellow eyes were determined. The patients were divided into three subgroups according to their type of DRS. The refractive properties of the eyes with DRS were examined in subgroup analyses. Eye movement limitation was graded between +1 and +4 and compared according to the refractive error type.

The mean age of the patients was 16.8±12.6 (range, 1-60) years. Of the eyes with DRS, 11 (27.5%) were emmetropic, four (10%) were hyperopic, two (5%) were myopic, 11 (27.5%) were myopic astigmatic, and 12 (30.0%) were hyperopic astigmatic. There was no statistically significant difference between the eyes with DRS and fellow eyes in relation to the spherical or cylindrical refractive errors or spherical equivalent (P>0.05 for all). The refraction values for the patients with type 1, type 2 and type 3 DRS were similar between groups (P>0.05). No statistically significant difference was detected in the degree of eye movement limitation according to refractive status (P>0.05).

In patients with unilateral DRS, there was no significant difference between the affected eyes and the fellow eyes in terms of refractive error values or types. Refractive status did not significantly differ according to the degree of eye movement limitation. Therefore, although extraocular muscles are affected by DRS, there may not be any significant refractive changes.