Assessment of retinal and choroidal microcirculation after unilateral recession–resection surgery for horizontal strabismus by swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography

Abstract

This study explored the possible hemodynamic changes of the retina and choroid after horizontal strabismus surgery using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA). 32 eyes of 32 patients who underwent unilateral horizontal rectus muscle recession–resection surgery were included. SS-OCTA examinations were performed preoperatively and one week postoperatively. Several OCTA measurements were used, including vessel density (VD) of the superficial vascular complex (SVC), VD of the deep vascular complex (DVC), VD of the choriocapillaris (CC), choroidal vascular index (CVI) and choroidal thickness (CT). No significant change in VD of SVC, DVC, and CC was observed whereas CT increased significantly with CVI unchanged. Recession–resection surgery for horizontal strabismus seemed not to significantly influence the microcirculation of the retina and CC in the early postoperative period. However, choroidal thickening happened with a constant CVI probably due to the postoperative inflammation. Further studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects of unilateral recession–resection surgery for horizontal strabismus on the microcirculation of the retina and choroid.