The Effect of Unilateral Surgery in Dissociated Vertical Deviation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate changes in the unoperated eye of patients who underwent unilateral surgery for asymmetrical dissociated vertical deviation. METHODS: We performed superior rectus recession and inferior oblique anterior transposition in the case of asymmetrical dissociated vertical deviation, and lateral rectus recession in the case of dissociated horizontal deviation. We excluded patients having a history of previous operation on the vertical rectus muscles, oblique muscle in the unoperated eye, nystagmus, neurologic problems, and imprecise measurement of deviation angle. Changes in the unoperated eyes of 11 patients who underwent unilateral surgery to correct asymmetrical dissociated vertical deviation in the other eye, from May 2003 to April 2004 were analyzed retrospectively at 1 year postoperative. RESULTS: Not all cases of preoperative latent dissociated vertical deviation manifested such deviation in the unoperated eye postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral surgery is an effective treatment in patients with asymmetrical dissociated vertical deviation and does not affect the unoperated eye.