Nonsurgical Management of Diplopia

Diplopia is a potential undesirable outcome of nearly any ocular surgery. In some cases, the unexpected strabismus and diplopia resolve quickly without intervention, especially if due to swelling or minor insult from the surgical procedure. When double vision persists, effective treatment may be more elusive in patients in which the strabismus is the result of a restrictive process. The sudden onset of strabismus makes treatment more challenging. Frequently these patients will require surgical intervention. Where possible, patients may be managed with nonsurgical treatments until the time of surgery or indefinitely if successful and acceptable to the patient. Diplopia has been documented as a result of restrictive strabismus following vitreoretinal surgery, glaucoma surgery, orbital decompression surgery, strabismus surgery, orbital surgery, conjunctival surgery, cataract surgery, blepharoplasty, and others. The treatment of diplopia after ocular surgery is complicated by the incomitance and torsion that may be associated with restrictive strabismus as well as the variability of the deviation during healing. Nonsurgical treatment options include prisms or occlusion. Fresnel prisms are used primarily, but occasionally the prism is ground into the spectacles. Occlusion of the involved eye may be partial or complete, using a "pirate" patch, adhesive patch, Bangerter foil, tape, or related method.