DOES CONJUNCTIVAL INCISION INFLUENCE MEDIAL RECTUS MUSCLE RECESSIONS?

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the role of conjunctival incision in medial rectus muscle recessions as surgical treatment of choice in esotropia. Methods: The study included 200 patients (370 eyes), operated on for esotropia in the period of 2000-2014. 170 of them (340 eyes) underwent bilateral medial rectus muscle recessions and 30- unilateral medial rectus muscle recession for various forms of alternating/alternated esotropia. We compared the effect (Δ/mm recession) of fornix and limbal approach. Diagnostic, surgical and statistical methods were used. Results: Limbal incision was performed on 110 patients (55,3%) and fornix approach was done in 89 cases (44,7%). The mean effect corrected prism diopters for each mm of recession (Δ/mm) differed significantly in the two groups, being bigger in cases with fornix incision (p<0,001) . Conclusion: The type of conjunctival incision in medial rectus muscle recessions have an influence not only on the cosmetic appearance, but also on the functional result. This is especially true for large recessions.

Keywords

• esotropia
• limbal approach
• fornix incision