Our Summary

This research paper is about a study that looked into the rates and types of strabismus, a condition where the eyes do not properly align with each other, after children had undergone brain surgery for severe seizures. The researchers used various databases to find relevant studies up to May 2022.

From the 41 articles they found, they narrowed it down to 10 studies that focused on pediatric patients who had either hemispherectomy or hemispherotomy. These studies included 384 children, aged between 6 months and 16 years, with nearly half being female.

Before the brain surgeries, between 3% and 56% of the children had strabismus. After the surgeries, this rate increased to between 38% and 100%. The most common types of strabismus observed were contralateral exodeviation (eye turns away from the nose) and ipsilateral esodeviation (eye turns towards the nose).

The researchers concluded that these types of strabismus could potentially expand the visual field after brain surgery. However, the social impact of this condition and the risk of decreased vision or double vision from strabismus surgery should be considered. They also mentioned the need for more high-quality studies with large and well-documented patient groups to better understand the risks and rates of strabismus after brain surgery.

FAQs

  1. What is the increase in strabismus among children after brain surgery for severe seizures?
  2. What are the most common types of strabismus observed after brain surgery in pediatric patients?
  3. According to the study, what potential impacts and risks does strabismus surgery carry?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might give a patient about strabismus surgery is to be prepared for the possibility of experiencing double vision or changes in vision after the surgery. It is important to follow post-operative instructions carefully and attend all follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and management of any potential complications. Additionally, discussing any concerns or questions with your eye care team can help alleviate any anxiety or uncertainty about the surgery and its outcomes.

Suitable For

Typically, patients who are recommended strabismus surgery are those who have misaligned eyes that cannot be corrected with other treatments such as glasses, vision therapy, or eye patches. These patients may have strabismus due to various reasons, including neurological conditions, eye muscle weakness, or trauma.

In the case of the study mentioned above, pediatric patients who underwent brain surgery for severe seizures and developed strabismus as a result were recommended for strabismus surgery. The types of strabismus observed in these patients, such as contralateral exodeviation and ipsilateral esodeviation, may indicate the need for surgical intervention to improve alignment and potentially expand the visual field.

Overall, patients with persistent or severe strabismus that affects their vision, depth perception, or quality of life may be recommended for strabismus surgery. It is important for patients to consult with an ophthalmologist or strabismus specialist to determine the best course of treatment for their specific condition.

Timeline

In summary, before strabismus surgery, a patient may experience symptoms such as misaligned eyes, double vision, and difficulty focusing. They may also undergo various tests and evaluations to determine the severity of their condition.

After strabismus surgery, the patient will typically experience some discomfort, swelling, and redness in the eye area. They may also need to wear an eye patch or use eye drops as part of their recovery process.

Over time, the patient should start to see improvements in their eye alignment and vision. They may need to attend follow-up appointments with their eye doctor to monitor their progress and make any necessary adjustments to their treatment plan.

Overall, the goal of strabismus surgery is to improve the patient’s eye alignment, vision, and quality of life. With proper care and follow-up, most patients can expect to see positive outcomes from the surgery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about strabismus surgery include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with strabismus surgery?
  2. How successful is strabismus surgery in correcting the misalignment of the eyes?
  3. What is the recovery process like after strabismus surgery?
  4. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies for strabismus that I should consider?
  5. How long will it take for me to see improvements in my eye alignment after surgery?
  6. Will I need to wear glasses or use any special eye exercises after strabismus surgery?
  7. Are there any long-term effects or risks associated with strabismus surgery that I should be aware of?
  8. How many strabismus surgeries have you performed, and what is your success rate?
  9. Will I need follow-up appointments after strabismus surgery, and if so, how often?
  10. Can you provide me with any additional resources or information about strabismus surgery and its outcomes?

Reference

Authors: Pur DR, Sivakumar GK, Bursztyn LLCD, Iordanous Y, de Ribaupierre S. Journal: Can J Ophthalmol. 2024 Oct;59(5):e547-e556. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2023.07.021. Epub 2023 Aug 25. PMID: 37640228