Complications of strabismus surgery: incidence and risk factors.

PURPOSE: To perform a systematic review of the complications of strabismus surgery, focusing on incidence and risk factors.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using the Medline and Cochrane databases.
RESULTS: Local complications, such as conjunctival injection and mild scarring, are almost universal but only rarely have long-term clinical significance. There are several important complications that are uncommon but associated with significant long-term sequelae, including slipped muscles, lost muscles, stretched scars, incarcerated muscles, pulled-in-two syndrome, periocular infections, orbital cellulitis, scleral perforations, retinal detachments, endophthalmitis, anterior segment ischemia, and surgical errors. DISCUSSION: Strabismus surgery is associated with a number of common and serious complications, and it is important for both surgeons and patients to be aware of the risks.