Corneal Curvature Change After Strabismus Surgery: An Experience from a Single Academic Center

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore corneal curvature changes following strabismus surgery using a quadric surface fitting model to address ocular misalignment. Material and Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 54 completed cases (84 eyes) of patients aged 6–60 years old (mean 10 years old) undergoing horizontal rectus muscle surgery were examined using placido-based keratometry with the Oculus Keratograph 5M system. Data on corneal curvature were collected one week preoperatively, and again one week, one month, and three months post-operation. Asphericity in the vertical meridian (Qy) and horizontal meridian (Qx), and surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) were calculated. Results: The 84 eyes included were categorized into three groups: horizontal muscle surgeries, oblique muscle surgery, and combined horizontal and oblique muscle surgeries. Significant corneal prolation (steep central, flat peripheral) was revealed in the vertical meridian (Qy) at 3 months postoperatively for lateral rectus (LR) recession in the first group (p < 0.001), and the mean SIA was 0.45 D (95% CI: 0.35–0.56 D). A similar effect was seen in the vertical meridian of the third group (p < 0.01), with a mean SIA at 3 months of 0.27 D (95% CI: 0.23–0.32 D). Conclusion: Lateral rectus muscle recession induces corneal vertical prolation for up to 3 months post-operation. Surgeons are thus advised to re-evaluate refraction and defer contact lens refitting, refractive surgery, and intraocular lens calculations for at least 3 months after the procedure.