LARGE RECESSION NYSTAGMUS SURGERY IN ALBINOS - EFFECT ON ACUITY

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of large muscle recessions on visual a cuity in albinos with nystagmus. Methods: This is a retrospective, unm asked, chart review of 12 patients with ocular or oculocutaneous albin ism demonstrating nystagmus who underwent four horizontal rectus muscl e retroequatorial recessions. Pre- and postoperative visual acuity wer e measured. Results: Best corrected visual acuity improved postoperati vely by two or more Snellen lines in 7 of 12 patients (58%). Subjectiv e improvement of vision and nystagmus was noted by patients and examin ers. Follow up was performed between 3 and 41 months; 25% of patients required reoperation for ocular alignment. Conclusion: Large four-musc le horizontal rectus recessions may improve uniocular and binocular vi sual acuities in albinos with nystagmus as measured by Snellen acuity. Patients may note a qualitative decrease in the severity of their nys tagmus.