Superior and Lateral Rectus Myopexy for Acquired Adult Distance Esotropia: A “One Size Fits All” Surgery

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the results of bilateral lateral rectus to superior rectus myopexy for the treatment of acquired adult distance esotropia. Methods: The charts of all adult patients who were operated for esotropia by the first author at the Department of Ophthalmology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Zrifin, Israel, between the years 2010-2015 were analyzed. Patients with the following inclusion criteria were included: acquired esotropia (not present during childhood); deviation greater for distance than near by at least 4 prism diopters (PD); slight abduction deficit in one or both eyes and/or displacement of the lateral rectus downwards as evident by CT/MRI with or without superior rectus nasal shift and no neurologic abnormalities such as cranial nerve palsies or other. Results: Eighteen patients were identified (age 31–80 years, mean 49.6 years, 77.7% females). Pre-operative esodeviation averaged 24.3 PD (range 14–35 PD) for distance and 15.7 PD (range 8-25 PD) for near. Thirteen patients (72%) had diplopia. All patients were myopic (average -5.54 diopters, range -2.00 to -13.00). All patients underwent bilateral superior rectus–lateral rectus myopexy. Seven patients needed additional single medial rectus recession of between 2–6 mm, and two had additional inferior rectus recession. After a follow-up period of 3–52 months (average 16 months), 16/18 patients (88%) had a deviation less than 5 PD. No overcorrections were noted. Conclusion: Lateral to superior rectus myopexy is a safe and effective treatment for patients with distance esotropia in which displacement of these muscles is identified. Additional single medial rectus and/or inferior rectus recession may be needed in some patients.