Amniotic membrane transplantation for restrictive strabismus.

PURPOSE

To report the use of amniotic membrane transplant in patients with restrictive strabismus.

DESIGN

Retrospective, interventional case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with restrictive strabismus treated with amniotic membrane transplantation.

METHODS

Chart review of 7 consecutive patients (8 eyes) who developed restrictive strabismus after periocular surgery and were treated with surgical removal of restrictive adhesions and placement of an amniotic membrane transplant.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Intraoperative findings to explain the mechanism of restrictive strabismus, and clinical postoperative results, including ocular alignment, ductions and versions, symptom relief, and resolution of diplopia.

RESULTS

Restrictive strabismus occurred after surgery for pterygium, retinal detachment, orbital floor fracture, dermoid cyst, and dermatochalasis. Restrictive strabismus was due to a combination of conjunctival contracture, fat adherence, or rectus muscle contracture. All patients developed postoperative scarring, with failed additional standard surgery to remove the adhesions, including 1 patient treated with mitomycin C for recurrent scarring after pterygium. Reoperation using amniotic membrane transplantation was associated with improvement of ocular motility in 6 of the 7 patients; 1 patient had recurrence of scarring with persistent diplopia. The remaining 6 of 7 patients had no significant recurrence of scarring, and motility remained stable during the follow-up period of 5 to 13 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Amniotic membrane transplantation seems to help prevent recurrence of adhesions in patients with restrictive strabismus caused by conjunctival scarring, fat adherence syndrome, or rectus muscle contracture. Use of an amniotic membrane transplant should be considered as a treatment option for these difficult cases of restrictive strabismus.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.