Superior oblique tenotomy in the treatment of isolated inferior oblique paresis.

Both tenotomy and tenectomy of the homolateral superior oblique muscle have been advocated as surgical treatment for isolated paresis of the inferior oblique muscle. An iatrogenic superior oblique palsy has been reported to be a frequent complication of superior oblique tenectomy. This complication appears to be less frequent following superior oblique tenotomy. Of 16 consecutive patients with isolated inferior oblique paresis treated by homolateral superior oblique tenotomy and followed an average of 5.0 years (range six months to 11.6 years), only two patients demonstrated a superior oblique palsy postoperatively. Large vertical deviations with spread of comitance, however, required a superior rectus recession of the fellow eye in addition to superior oblique tenotomy.