Strabismus after balanced medial plus lateral wall versus lateral wall only orbital decompression for dysthyroid orbitopathy.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the relative incidence and time course of new-onset strabismus after balanced medial plus lateral wall orbital decompression versus decompression of the lateral wall alone for dysthyroid orbitopathy.


METHODS
The study design was a retrospective nonrandomized comparative case series. Thirty-two consecutive patients underwent balanced medial plus lateral wall orbital decompression or lateral wall orbital decompression for dysthyroid orbitopathy. The incidence, duration, and treatment of postoperative strabismus was recorded for each patient.


RESULTS
Significant preoperative strabismus was present in 31% (4/13 patients) of the balanced decompression group and in 26% (5/19 patients) of the lateral wall decompression group. Only 25% (1/4) of cases of preexisting strabismus in the balanced decompression group resolved postoperatively without muscle surgery, whereas 60% (3/5) of cases in the lateral wall decompression group resolved postoperatively without surgery. Preoperative strabismus was absent in 69% (9/13) of patients in the balanced decompression group and in 74% (14/19) of patients in the lateral wall decompression group. New-onset, persistent postoperative strabismus developed in 33% (3/9) of patients in the balanced decompression group and in 7% (1/14) of patients in the lateral wall decompression group.


CONCLUSIONS
Lateral wall orbital decompression may produce less new-onset, persistent postoperative strabismus than balanced medial plus lateral wall orbital decompression for dysthyroid orbitopathy.
Division of Orbital and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, USA.
R A
RA
Goldberg
J D
JD
Perry
V
V
Hortaleza
J T
JT
Tong
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009915:Orbit / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013285:Strabismus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity