Retinal vascular diameter changes assessed with a computer-assisted software after strabismus surgery

AIM: To quantitatively investigate the retinal vascular diameter changes, analyzing the early and long-term effects on the retinal circulation, with 6-month follow-up. METHODS: Patients underwent horizontal strabismus surger y were enrolled prospectively. Retinal vessel diameters on color fundus photographs were assessed before and 1, 7 d, 6 mo after surgery, using a computerassisted quantitative assessment software. To evaluate the retinal vascular caliber changes, retinal vascular diameters were calculated by means of the Parr–Hubbard formula as the central retinal arteriolar equivalent(CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent(CRVE). The arteriovenous ratio(AVR) was calculated as CRAE divided by CRVE. RESULTS: A total of 154 eyes of 104 consecutive patients were included. Compared with the data before surgery(121.55±24.67), the mean CRAE(131.18±28.29) significantly increased 1 d af ter surger y(P=0.003), but went back to baseline level at 7 d(118.89±30.35, P=0.15), and 6 mo(123.22±15.32, P=0.60), so did the AVR(P<0.001, P=0.08, P=0.07). As for the mean CRVE, there was no significant difference between those four time points(172.43±33.25, 175.57±36.98, 174.03±40.18, 174.86±20.46, P=1.00). CONCLUSION: Strabismus surgery on both lateral and media rectus muscles, or single media rectus muscle may increase retinal blood flow during the early postoperative period, but would return to normal later. The number of transected anterior ciliary arteries rather might be the main cause of retinal hemodynamic changes early after strabismus surgery.