Correlation between the axial length and the effect of recession of horizontal rectus muscles

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study is to determine whether the axial length (AxL) measurement would be useful in predicting the effect of horizontal rectus muscles recession. Patients and methods This study retrospectively reviewed 94 patients (52 with intermittent exotropia and 42 with infantile esotropia and partially accommodative esotropia), with age ranging from 4 to 15 years (7.63±3.2). All cases underwent bilateral lateral rectus recession for exotropia and bilateral medial recession for esotropia; there were no cases of combined vertical strabismus. There was no history of any ocular trauma or previous strabismus surgery. Preoperative angle of deviation, AxL (IOL Master), and postoperative angle of deviation at 6 months were recorded; effect of recession was calculated in all cases. Results The mean AxL for all cases was 23.39±1.73. The patients were divided into two groups: exotropia group (n=52) and esotropia group (n=42). Each group was subdivided into two subgroups: subgroup I (AxL<23.39) and subgroup II (AxL≥23.39). The effect of recession in exotropic group was 2.27±0.29; in short AxL subgroup, it was 2.42±0.17, and in long AxL subgroup, it was 1.98±0.25. In esotropic group, the effect of recession was 3.36±0.53; in subgroup I, it was 3.67±0.31, and in subgroup II, it was 2.87±0.44. Conclusion The results showed a negative correlation between AxL and effect of recession in both esotropia and exotropia groups. It is recommended to increase the amount of recession in longer AxL.