Evaluation of the impact of strabismus surgery on refraction and biometric measurements

This study presents the results of an assessment involving 145 eyes of 100 patients who underwent surgery at the Department of Ophthalmology, Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, due to strabismus. The patients were categorized into three groups based on the type of surgery they received: Group 1 underwent surgery on the medial rectus muscle, Group 2 on the lateral rectus muscle, and Group 3 underwent both medial and lateral rectus muscle surgeries. Biometric and refractive values of the patients were measured preoperatively, at postoperative week 2, and at postoperative month 6. No significant difference was found between genders in any parameter. A significant increase in axial length was noted in all patients (23.47±1.19 -> 23.49±1.19 -> 23.52±1.22)and particularly in Group 2 (23.47±1.18 -> 23.49±1.18 -> 23.53±1.21). Late-phase changes were observed in central corneal thickness (551.74±35.41 -> 549.38±35.53 -> 551.36±35.69). No significant changes were detected in anterior chamber depth, corneal diameter, and lens thickness. While the astigmatic meridian value showed significant changes in all patients (42.87±1.55 -> 42.92±1.55 -> 42.77±1.56), particularly in Group 2 patients (42.94±1.55 -> 42.99±1.56 -> 42.85±1.56), no significant changes were observed in the orthogonal meridian. Myopic shift in spherical equivalent was significant in all patients (- 0.87±3.11 -> -1.05±3.07) and particularly in Group 2 patients (-0.80±2.28 -> - 1.0±2.28) in the short term. Upon comprehensive evaluation of all data, it is evident that whether statistically significant or not, early changes tend to regress in the late phase. Therefore, it is recommended to remain vigilant to potential biometric and refractive changes in post-surgical follow-ups, and the reliance on glasses should be postponed for an extended period. Larger, more comprehensive studies encompassing various types of surgical interventions and a greater number of patients are warranted. Key Words: strabismus, surgery-related biometry, surgery-related refraction.