Effectiveness of retroequatorial recession surgery in congenital nystagmus.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the retroequatorial recession technique in the surgical treatment of nystagmus and associated strabismus.

Method: The effect of large recessions of four horizontal extraocular muscles was analyzed qualitatively in seven patients with congenital nystagmus.

Results: The ages of the patients ranged between 12 and 42 years (mean, 21.5 years). Of the seven patients, four had motor and three had sensory nystagmus. Visual acuity increased in five (71.4%) patients. Planned recovery of associated strabismus was attained in six patients (85.7%). In five patients who had abnormal head position, the head positions and nystagmus intensities were found to be decreased. No postoperative complication, such as diplopia, was encountered.

Conclusion: The retroequatorial recession technique is preferable in patients who have congenital nystagmus, especially in the presence of horizontal squint associated with low visual acuity, because of its success in increasing visual acuity and decreasing the amplitude of nystagmus, its reversibility, making posssible new operations in the future, as well as the absence of any significant complications.