Sustained increases in intraocular pressure during strabismus surgery.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Science
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Intraoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) is a critical factor during ocular surgery.
• Thyroid ophthalmopathy can affect ocular structures and potentially influence IOP during strabismus surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure intraoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients undergoing rectus muscle surgery.
• To compare IOP in patients with and without thyroid ophthalmopathy.

Main Methods:

• Intraoperative IOP was measured in nine eyes of six adult patients.
• Patients underwent rectus muscle recession or resection procedures.
• Eyes were categorized based on the presence or absence of thyroid ophthalmopathy and muscle restrictions.

Main Results:

• Sustained intraocular pressures of 77 to 84 mm Hg were recorded in five eyes (three patients) with thyroid ophthalmopathy.
• Smaller IOP increases were observed in the four eyes without muscle restrictions.

Conclusions:

• Thyroid ophthalmopathy is associated with significantly elevated intraoperative intraocular pressure during strabismus surgery.
• Elevated IOP in thyroid eye disease may be linked to restrictive myopathy.
• Further investigation into IOP management during strabismus surgery in thyroid eye disease patients is warranted.