The Effect of Strabismus Surgery on the Dynamic Balance in Children With Strabismus

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effect of strabismus surgery on the dynamic balance by using computerized dynamic posturography in children with strabismus. Methods This study was designed as a prospective observational study. Hearing test and complete ophthalmological examinations were performed for all subjects. Patients with moderate and severe amblyopia, hearing loss at any level and/or any suspicion of balance impairment were excluded from the study. Postural stability evaluation was performed by computerized dynamic posturography including sensory organization test, adaptation test and rhythmic weight shift test. All tests were applied preoperatively and in the postoperative 1st and 3rd months respectively. Results Fifteen female and 12 male pre-adolescents aged between 7–12 (9.67 ± 1.62 years) were included in the current study. In the sensory organization test, the preoperative visual ratio percentages (73.19 ± 14.95%) improved statistically significantly at the postoperative 1st and 3rd months (78.59 ± 16.21% and 81,44 ± 14,18; p = 0.026, p = 0.021, respectively). The preoperative toes up (110,66 ± 33,48) and toes down (81,46 ± 28,36) adaptation tests improved statistically significantly at the postoperative 3rd month (88,74 ± 20,94 and 63,36 ± 16,03; p < 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). In Rhythmic Weight Shift test, the postoperative 3rd month directional control (forward-backward) value (74.25 ± 11.51%) was statistically significantly higher compared to the preoperative directional control (forward-backward) value (67.76 ± 11.38%) (p = 0.011). The postoperative 3rd month directional control (forward-backward) value (74.25 ± 11.51%) was statistically significantly higher compared to the postoperative 1st month directional control (forward-backward) value (68.43 ± 14.00%) (p = 0.028). Conclusion Surgical treatment resulted in an improvement in the maintenance of dynamic balance in children with strabismus.