The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Associate Professor Aboma Merdasa, MSc, PhD. Photo.

Aboma Merdasa

Researcher

Associate Professor Aboma Merdasa, MSc, PhD. Photo.

Inferior rectus muscle detachment during strabismus surgery has a major effect on anterior segment perfusion, as shown by LSCI perfusion monitoring

Author

  • Linn Engqvist
  • Hanna Maria Öhnell
  • Ella Nygren
  • Aboma Merdasa
  • Rafi Sheikh
  • Ulf Dahlstrand
  • Malin Malmsjö

Summary, in English

BACKGROUND: Anterior segment ischaemia (ASI) is a rare but feared complication associated with strabismus surgery, arising from damage of the anterior ciliary arteries that run along the extraocular rectus muscles. It has been reported that the risk of ASI following strabismus surgery increases when the vertical rectus muscles are involved. The aim of the present study was to monitor anterior segment perfusion in real time during inferior rectus muscle surgery.

METHODS: 17 eyes in 16 patients undergoing surgery on the inferior rectus muscle were included. Perfusion was measured in the adjacent paralimbal and iris tissue, before and after inferior rectus muscle detachment, using laser speckle contrast imaging.

RESULTS: The paralimbal vascular network was clearly visualised in the perfusion images, whereas the signals from the iris were lower. Detachment of the inferior rectus muscle resulted in a reduction in paralimbal and iris perfusion by a median of 33% (p<0.0001) and 11% (p=0.0174), respectively.

CONCLUSION: Strabismus surgery involving the inferior rectus muscle significantly affects perfusion to the anterior segment, and to a greater extent than previously observed following surgery on horizontal rectus muscles (where the decrease was only 23% and 5%).

Department/s

  • LU Profile Area: Light and Materials
  • Ophthalmology, Lund
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity
  • Ophthalmology (Malmö)
  • LTH Profile Area: Engineering Health
  • LTH Profile Area: Photon Science and Technology
  • Ophthalmology Imaging Research Group
  • Clinical and experimental lung transplantation
  • NPWT technology

Publishing year

2025

Language

English

Pages

704-708

Publication/Series

British Journal of Ophthalmology

Volume

109

Issue

6

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

BMJ Publishing Group

Topic

  • Ophthalmology

Status

Published

Research group

  • Retinopathy of Prematurity
  • Ophthalmology (Malmö)
  • Ophthalmology Imaging Research Group
  • Clinical and experimental lung transplantation
  • NPWT technology

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1468-2079