The effects of strabismus on binocular vision and postoperative rehabilitation

Abstract

There are many necessary factors affecting human stereoscopic vision, and the alignment of both eyes is the most critical one. Strabismus destroying the normal alignment between both eyes, leading to the loss of the stereopsis. At the same time, loss of stereopsis and fusion means worse control of the eyes, accelerting the deviation, leading to a vicious cycle. The main treatment of strabismus is surgery. Through surgery, most patients get orthotropia, but quite a portion of them could not get normal binocular function. A few of them even encounter the recurrence of strabismus in a short term after the operation because of the deficiency of binocular visual function. Thus, the goal of strabismus treatment is not only to achieve normal orthotropia after surgery, but also the recovery of binocular vision, which is fundamental.We can use binocular function training programs to help patients get better binocular vision. Postoperative rehabilitation training methods mainly include synoptophore training, fusion ability training, computer software training, and visual perception testing and training system. Human brain possesses plasticity through our whole life. By utilizing this, we could help those patients after surgery to regain their stereopsis, and better control of the eyes to maintain orthotropia.(Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2018, 42: 179-183) Key words: strabismus; binocular visual function; stereopsis; visual perception testing and training system