Outcomes of unilateral inferior oblique myectomy surgery in inferior oblique overaction due to superior oblique palsy

Abstract

Objectives: To present the outcomes of unilateral inferior oblique myectomy performed in patients with inferior oblique overaction due to superior oblique palsy. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven eyes of 27 patients that underwent inferior oblique myectomy surgery for superior oblique palsy between 2002 and 2008 were included. Inferior oblique overaction scores (between 0-4) at preoperative, early postoperative (within 1 week after surgery) and late postoperative (earliest 6 months) visits were reviewed. Results: There were 12 male and 15 female patients. Eighteen were operated on the right eye, and 9 were operated on the left eye. The mean age was 15.62±13.31 years, and the mean follow-up was 17±11.28 months (range, 6-60 months). Patients who had horizontal component and V-pattern deviation were excluded. Preoperative and early postoperative inferior oblique overaction scores were 2.55±0.75 and 0.14±0.36, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). This improvement was maintained up to the late postoperative period. Conclusion: Due to its promising short-term and long-term results, inferior oblique myectomy can be the first choice of surgery for inferior oblique overaction due to superior oblique palsy.