Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.50(11) > 1008423

Lee, Ahn, and Jung: Anticholinesterase Treatment for Patients With Paralytic Strabismus Following a Viper Bite

Abstract

Purpose

To describe the therapeutic effect of anticholinesterase treatment for patients with paralytic strabismus and blepharoptosis following a viper bite

Methods

A prospective non-comparative interventional case series study was designed including 6 patients with ophthalmic complications such as paralytic strabismus and blepharoptosis following a viper bite. Anticholinesterase (pyridostigmine) 60 mg was administered to patients 3 times a day in additional to conservative treatment including antivenom, antibiotics and tetanus toxoid. Patients underwent a measurement of deviation, diplopia test and MRD 1. Subjective evaluation of the diplopia symptoms was performed daily after treatment.

Results

Subjective diplopia was relieved in 2 out of the 6 patients on the first day and in the other 4 patients on the second day. The angle of deviation decreased approximately 37% on the first day and ocular position became orthophoric on the third day in all patients. The blepharoptosis was completely resolved in 4 patients on the first day. No complication following anticholinesterase treatment was noticed.

Conclusions

Treatment using anticholinesterase for patients suffering from diplopia and blepharoptosis following a viper bite is an effective and safe treatment.

References

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Figure 1.
Fang marks of patients on the left forearm (Case 2, A), the right middle finger (Case 3, B), the left ankle (Case 4, C) and the left thumb (Case 6, D) with an erythematous swelling and pain after a viper bite.
jkos-50-1698f1.tif
Figure 2.
Nine cardinal photographs of 50-year-old male patient after a viper bite (Case 3, A) and 53-year-old male patient after a viper bite (Case 4, B). Exotropia at distance and the mild limitation of the left eye at right gaze.
jkos-50-1698f2.tif
Figure 3.
Nine cardinal photographs of same patients (Case 3, A), (Case 4, B). Exotropia and the limitation of the left eye were resolved after anticholinesterase treatment.
jkos-50-1698f3.tif
Figure 4.
Photographs of a 50-year-old male patient after a viper bite (Case 3). The ptosis of both lid and paralytic exotropia at distance without the limitation of the eye movement (A) and the resolution of lid ptosis and paralytic exotropia after one day of anticholinesterase treatment (B).
jkos-50-1698f4.tif
Table 1.
Summary of subjective diplopia before & after anticholinesterase treatment
Case (No) Age (Year) Sex Subjective diplopia (Grade)
Premedication Day 1 Day 2
1 9 M 2 0  
2 31 M 3 1 0
3 50 M 3 1 0
4 53 M 2 1 0
5 67 F 3 1 0
6 68 M 2 1 0

Grade 0=no diplopia and discomfort

Grade 1=mild diplopia and no any apparent discomfort

Grade 2=moderate diplopia & some discomfort

Grade 3=severe diplopia & significant discomfort.

Table 2.
Summary of paralytic strabismus before & after anticholinesterase treatment
Case (No) Age (Year) Sex Deviation of angle at primary gaze
Premedication Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
1 9 M 10PD* XT 2PD LHT 6PD XT 2PD LHT 6PD XT Orthophoric
2 31 M 15PD XT 4PD LHT 12PD XT 2PD XT Orthophoric
3 50 M 10PD XT 4PD XT 2PD XT Orthophoric
4 53 M 15PD XT 12PD XT 6PD XT Orthophoric
5 67 F 15PD XT 4PD LHT 10PD XT 2PD XT Orthophoric
6 68 M 8PD XT 2PD XT Orthophoric  

*PD=prism diopter

XT=exotropia

LHT=left hypertropia.

Table 3.
Summary of blepharoptosis before & after anticholinesterase treatment
Case (No) Age (Year) Sex Blepharoptosis MRD1 (Right/Left)
Premedication Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
1 9 M + 2mm/2mm 4mm/4mm 4mm/4mm  
2 31 M 4mm/4mm      
3 50 M + 2mm/2mm 4mm/4mm 4mm/4mm 4mm/4mm
4 53 M + 2mm/2mm 3mm/3mm 4mm/4mm  
5 67 F + 1mm/1mm 4mm/4mm 4mm/4mm 4mm/4mm
6 68 M 4mm/4mm      

MRD1=margin reflex distance 1.

Table 4.
Comparison of recovery periods according to treatment modalities in paralytic strabismus and blepharoptosis following viper bite
Ophthalmic complications Anticholinesterase treatment Conservative treatment
Subjective diplopia 1.8±0.4 days 19.3±3.3 days
Paralytic strabismus 2.8±0.4 days 17.8±2.9 days
Blepharoptosis 1.0±0.0 days 6.0±1.6 days
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