The routine use of adjustable sutures in adult strabismus surgery

A review is given of the adjustable suture technique in adult strabismus surgery, and our experience with its use over a 4-year period. Twenty patients underwent adjustable surgery during that time, both for cosmetic reasons and for alleviation of diplopia. Postoperative adjustment in the alert patient enabled the eyes to be aligned in the most favourable position. The stability of alignment was good, and a success rate of 85% was achieved over a mean follow-up period of 17 months. Our results demonstrate the value of the technique, even when undertaken in a non-specialist ophthalmological department of a district general hospital. We now offer adjustable sutures routinely to all adults able to cooperate, to safeguard against the unpredictable nature of standard strabismus surgery.