Our Summary

The study discusses the results of a surgery called strabismus, performed on children who had previously been treated for a type of eye cancer called retinoblastoma. The study looked back at 18 patients (10 girls and 8 boys) who had this surgery after they were done with their cancer treatments.

The patients were between ages 2 to 39 months old when they were first found to have cancer and between 4 to 9 years old when they had the strabismus surgery. Some of these patients had cancer in one eye, while others had it in both. The cancer was often found in a part of the eye called the macula and was treated with different types of chemotherapy.

On average, the strabismus surgery was performed around 30 months after the cancer treatment was done. Most of these patients had vision that was equal to or worse than 20/200 in the affected eye. Some patients had an eye that turned outwards (exotropia), some had an eye that turned inwards (esotropia), and some had vertical deviation.

The surgery was effective in significantly reducing the angle of eye deviation. After about 15 months of follow-up, 17% of the patients needed a second surgery.

The study concludes that strabismus surgery is safe for children who have been treated for eye cancer, and the results are generally good and similar to those seen in the wider population. Importantly, the surgery was not linked to the cancer coming back or spreading.

FAQs

  1. What is the purpose of the strabismus surgery in children previously treated for retinoblastoma?
  2. What was the success rate of the strabismus surgery as per the study?
  3. Did the strabismus surgery have any impact on the recurrence or spread of the cancer?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about strabismus surgery is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully to ensure the best possible outcome. This may include keeping the eye clean, using prescribed eye drops or ointments, avoiding rubbing the eyes, and attending follow-up appointments with the surgeon. It is also important to discuss any concerns or changes in vision with the doctor promptly.

Suitable For

Typically, patients who are recommended for strabismus surgery are those who have misaligned eyes due to a variety of reasons such as eye muscle weakness, nerve issues, or previous eye surgeries. In the case of this study, patients who had been treated for retinoblastoma and subsequently developed strabismus were recommended for surgery to correct the misalignment of their eyes. It is important to note that each patient’s case is unique, and recommendations for strabismus surgery should be made by a qualified eye specialist after a thorough examination and evaluation of the individual’s condition.

Timeline

Before the strabismus surgery, a patient may have been treated for retinoblastoma, undergone chemotherapy, and experienced vision impairment due to the cancer. After the surgery, the patient would have a reduced angle of eye deviation and improved alignment of the eyes. Some patients may require a second surgery, but overall, the surgery is considered safe and effective in improving eye alignment without impacting the cancer treatment.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is strabismus surgery and how does it work?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with strabismus surgery?
  3. How long is the recovery period after strabismus surgery?
  4. What kind of results can I expect from strabismus surgery?
  5. Will I need to wear glasses or use eye drops after the surgery?
  6. How many strabismus surgeries have you performed and what is your success rate?
  7. Are there any alternative treatments to strabismus surgery that I should consider?
  8. Will I need to follow up with you regularly after the surgery?
  9. How will strabismus surgery impact my overall vision and eye health in the long term?
  10. Are there any specific precautions or lifestyle changes I should make before or after the surgery?

Reference

Authors: Masoomian B, Shields CL, Esfahani HR, Khalili A, Ghassemi F, Rishi P, Akbari MR, Khorrami-Nejad M. Journal: BMC Ophthalmol. 2024 Mar 13;24(1):114. doi: 10.1186/s12886-024-03379-9. PMID: 38481156