Assessment of Choroidal Thickness Changes after Strabismus Surgery Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography

Document Type : Original research articles

Authors

1 Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.

2 Ophthalmology department, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt

10.21608/svuijm.2024.344074.2050

Abstract

Background: Strabismus surgery can impact choroidal thickness, affecting retinal health. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) helps monitor these changes for better outcomes.
Objectives: To evaluate Choroidal Thickness Changes post-Strabismus Surgery using OCT.
Patients and methods: This prospective study included 45 eyes from 30 patients (age 20.27 ± 13.25 years, 53.33% male) with esotropia or exotropia, undergoing surgery at Qena University Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: Single Muscle Surgery Group (38 eyes) and Dual Muscle Surgery Group (7 eyes). Choroidal thickness was measured pre-operatively and post-operatively at various time points (day 1, week 2, month 1, month 3) using the Heidelberg Spectral OCT system.
Results: Pre-operative foveal thickness was similar between groups (dual: 273.43 ± 28.08 μm, single: 284.37 ± 21.17 μm, P = 0.3909). On day 1 post-op, the dual group showed significant thinning (234.57 ± 25.19 μm vs. 276.08 ± 29.67 μm, P = 0.0054). At 2 weeks and 3 months, thickness differences were insignificant. Temporal and nasal thickness did not vary significantly except for day 1, where T1 thickness decreased in the dual group (230 ± 26.03 μm vs. 270.79 ± 28.26 μm, P = 0.0042).
Conclusion: Strabismus surgery significantly affects choroidal thickness, with initial thinning followed by recovery. Dual-muscle surgery causes a more substantial decrease, indicating a higher impact from the increased surgical intervention. Further OCT-based research is needed.

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