Adjusting adjustable eye muscle sutures in anesthetized patients

This study evaluated the predictability of results by adjusting eye muscle sutures in anesthetized patients. Consideration was given to the differences in the eye positions when the patient was awake and anesthetized. Observations were made under what the anesthesiologist considered was plane two of surgical anesthesia with the eyes in a stable position. Care was taken that effects of depolarizing agents, if given, had worn off. Twenty-nine operations were performed on 28 patients. Results at six months after surgery were consistent within 5 degrees (10 PD) of orthotropia in 25 operations. There were three cases of undercorrected vision by 6 degrees in patients with esotropia. These patients required no additional surgery. One patient had a 10 degrees difference from the anticipated result.