Study of clinico-etiological profile of patients with paralytic and restrictive strabismus

Abstract

Incomitant strabismus typically results in intractable diplopia, blepharoptosis, ocular motility disturbance, disturbance in pupil reaction and an unacceptable compensatory head or face posture. A complete clinico etiological profile is necessary for identifying the underlying risk factors and etiology pertaining to paralytic and restrictive strabismus which is imperative in prevention , early detection, managing the etiology and timely recovery in these patients.To study the clinico-etiological profile of patients with paralytic and restrictive strabismus in a tertiary eye hospital. Patients reporting to a tertiary eye hospital in north India and diagnosed with paralytic and restrictive strabismus, over a period of one year , were enrolled in the present study . Patients were subjected to detailed ocular examination and evaluated for ocular motility or related disorders. This included detailed clinical history, ophthalmic examination, orthoptic workup , sensory evaluation, diplopia charting, Hess charting, slit lamp examination and fundus examination . In patients of suspected restricted strabismus, forced duction test was performed. Relevant systemic investigations including blood pressure , blood sugar and lipid profile were carried out . M.R.I orbit was done in every patient. Neuroimaging was advised in those patients where indicated. 48 patients were diagnosed with incomitant strabismus and enrolled in the study. 81.3%were of paralytic strabismus while 18.8 % were of restrictive strabismus. In the group of paralytic strabismus, 43.8 % patients had sixth nerve palsy , 27.1% patients had third nerve palsy , 6.3% patients had fourth nerve palsy and combined nerve palsy patients were 4.2%. Analysing the etiology, out of total patients of paralytic strabismus, 48.7% of cases were idiopathic, 25.6% were post traumatic, 15.4% were due to microvascular causes , 5.1% of cases were due to intracranial anomalies and rest 5.1% were due to inflammatory causes. In restrictive strabismus group, 66.7% were congenital and rest 33.3% were acquired. Our study has reflected the prevalence, distribution , etiological and clinical profile of patients presenting with incomitant strabismus . It is helpful for ophthalmologists and other physicians in guiding diagnosis and evaluation and is useful for proper and timely intervention and timely recovery in these patients.