Preferences of pediatric ophthalmologists and vitreoretinal surgeons of the treatment of scleral perforations during strabismus surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the preferences of pediatric ophthalmologists and vitreoretinal surgeons with regard to the initial management of scleral perforation during strabismus surgery and to determine whether they perceived one mode of treatment conferred a significant advantage over another in terms of the complication rate.


METHODS
Six hundred sixty-five pediatric ophthalmologists and 494 vitreoretinal surgeons registered with their respective national organizations were invited by an e-mail to respond to an anonymous, web-based survey. The responses to the survey were compared between groups.


RESULTS
A total of 169 ophthalmologists participated, 133 of whom were pediatric ophthalmologists and 36 vitreoretinal surgeons. Significantly more pediatric ophthalmologists than vitreoretinal surgeons recommend initially managing scleral perforation by observation (P = .001). Among pediatric ophthalmologists, method of treatment was not perceived to affect outcome (P = .75). However, laser photocoagulation was perceived to result in the best outcome among vitreoretinal surgeons (P = .03).


CONCLUSIONS
Significant differences exist among pediatric ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon management preferences and perceived treatment outcomes for scleral perforation.
Hwang
Christopher K
CK
Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Phoenix
Vidya P
VP
Hutchinson
Amy K
AK
D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles; D009885:Ophthalmology; D012591:Scleral Buckling; D013285:Strabismus / Q000601:surgery; D066231:Surgeons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome