PURPOSE: To evaluate patients with strabismus submitted to excimer laser refractive procedure. METHODS: Complete eye examination was performed, including motor and sensorial evaluation in 15 patients from October, 2000 to September, 2001. Follow-up was at least 6 months after excimer laser procedure. Patients who had been submitted to laser were named the first group and those who were seen before laser formed the second group. RESULTS: All patients of the first group required strabismus surgery in order to control symptoms of double vision or to correct the ocular deviation. The majority of the patients of the second group had worsening of their sensorial condition and some also presented worsening of their motor conditions. Half of the patients of the second group showed some relief of astenopia when eyeglasses for near were used. Those with accomodative esotropia did not have any or had less symptoms after the laser procedure and the follow-up showed more stable clinical feature. CONCLUSIONS: Refractive surgeons must select their patients and avoid underestimating some conditions that might compromise fusion capability after laser. We recommend motor and sensorial evaluation as part of their preoperative work up for candidates for refractive surgery.
Laser surgery; Strabismus; Strabismus
