Long-term results of inferior oblique muscle recession in superior oblique palsy

To evaluate the long-term surgical outcomes of inferior oblique muscle recession (IO Rec) for the treatment of superior oblique palsy (SOP). We retrospectively studied 18 consecutive patients who had undergone IO Rec for the treatment of SOP. A follow-up of at least five years after the operation was required to be included in the study. In results the preoperative vertical deviation was 10.6 ± 5.3 degrees in the primary position and 10.2 ± 4.7 degrees in the field of maximum action movement of the inferior oblique muscle. The final postoperative vertical deviation improved to 2.1 ± 3.9 degrees and 1.1 ± 3.5 degrees, respectively. In addition, the improvement in the vertical deviations was stable during the follow-up period. In conclusion our study results suggested that the surgical outcomes of IO Rec for the treatment of SOP had been maintained during the long-term follow up period.