Our Summary

This research paper examines the rates of double vision (diplopia), eye misalignment (strabismus), and treatments for strabismus after three different procedures to repair a specific type of retinal detachment (rhegmatogenous retinal detachment). The procedures are pneumatic retinopexy (PR), scleral buckle (SB), and pars plana vitrectomy with or without scleral buckle (PPV+/-SB).

The study used health record data from over 126 million patients and divided them into three groups based on the procedure they underwent. The researchers then compared the rates of diplopia, strabismus, and treatments for strabismus among these groups.

They found that the scleral buckle procedure had the highest rates of diplopia (2.73%) and strabismus (1.79%), followed by the vitrectomy procedure (diplopia, 2.28%; strabismus, 1.46%) and the pneumatic retinopexy procedure (diplopia, 1.54%; strabismus, 0.612%).

The researchers concluded that the risk of double vision and eye misalignment after these retinal detachment treatments is low. However, the scleral buckle procedure carries the highest risk, followed by the vitrectomy procedure and the pneumatic retinopexy procedure. These findings could help doctors and patients make informed decisions when choosing a repair technique for retinal detachment.

FAQs

  1. What are the three procedures examined in this study to repair rhegmatogenous retinal detachment?
  2. Which procedure has the highest rates of diplopia and strabismus according to the study?
  3. How can the findings of this study aid doctors and patients in making decisions about retinal detachment repair techniques?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about strabismus surgery is to carefully follow post-operative instructions, including any prescribed eye exercises or medications, to ensure the best possible outcome and minimize the risk of complications such as double vision or eye misalignment. It is also important to attend follow-up appointments as scheduled to monitor progress and address any concerns promptly.

Suitable For

Patients who have undergone retinal detachment repair procedures such as pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckle, or pars plana vitrectomy may be recommended strabismus surgery if they experience persistent double vision or eye misalignment post-operatively. The study mentioned above suggests that patients who undergo scleral buckle surgery are more likely to develop strabismus compared to those who undergo other procedures. Therefore, patients who have undergone scleral buckle surgery may be more likely to be recommended strabismus surgery to correct the eye misalignment.

Additionally, patients with underlying conditions such as thyroid eye disease, cranial nerve palsies, or other neurological disorders that contribute to strabismus may also be recommended strabismus surgery to improve their vision and quality of life. Overall, patients who experience persistent double vision or eye misalignment following retinal detachment repair procedures may be candidates for strabismus surgery to correct their visual symptoms.

Timeline

Before strabismus surgery:

  1. Patient notices symptoms of eye misalignment or double vision.
  2. Patient visits an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam.
  3. Eye doctor diagnoses strabismus and recommends surgery as a treatment option.
  4. Patient undergoes pre-operative evaluations and tests to assess their overall eye health and suitability for surgery.

After strabismus surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes the surgical procedure to correct the eye misalignment.
  2. Patient may experience discomfort, redness, and swelling in the eye following surgery.
  3. Patient may need to wear an eye patch or protective shield after surgery.
  4. Patient attends follow-up appointments with their eye doctor to monitor the healing process and assess the success of the surgery.
  5. Patient may need to undergo vision therapy or other treatments to help improve eye alignment and coordination.
  6. Patient experiences improved eye alignment and reduced symptoms of double vision over time.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with strabismus surgery?
  2. What is the success rate of strabismus surgery in correcting eye misalignment?
  3. What is the recovery process like after strabismus surgery?
  4. How long will it take to see improvements in eye alignment after surgery?
  5. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies for strabismus that I should consider?
  6. Will I need to wear glasses or use any other aids after strabismus surgery?
  7. How many strabismus surgeries have you performed, and what is your success rate?
  8. What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery, and what are the potential side effects?
  9. How long will the effects of strabismus surgery last, and will I need additional surgeries in the future?
  10. Are there any specific post-operative care instructions or restrictions that I need to follow after strabismus surgery?

Reference

Authors: Soetikno BT, Tran EM, Wai KM, Mruthyunjaya P, Rahimy E, Koo EB. Journal: J AAPOS. 2025 Jun;29(3):104216. doi: 10.1016/j.jaapos.2025.104216. Epub 2025 May 10. PMID: 40355074