AIM: To summarize common causes and coping strategy for complications after muscle surgery in restricted strabismus caused by thyroid associated ophthalmopathy(TAO).

METHODS:It was retrospective study. Totally 21 cases after muscle surgery in restricted strabismus caused by TAO, hospitalized from January 2009 to February 2012, were analyzed, including patient's condition, extraocular muscle surgery, complications of surgery.

RESULTS: Totally 6 cases with hypertropia and 15 cases with hypotropia before operation were observed. The strabismus surgery included myectomy of superior rectus(1 case), recession of superior rectus(5 cases), and recession of inferior rectus muscle(15 cases). Two cases were found injury of sclera, 1 case while cutting off muscle stop and another while suturing and 3 cases were found preset stitches slipped during operation. Undercorrection happened in 6 cases and overcorrection in 5 cases in the early stage after operation(within a month). Overcorrection was in 15 cases(6 cases with restricted hypertropia and 9 cases with restricted hypotropia)and lower eyelid retreat in 8 cases in the late postoperative period(6 months after operation).

CONCLUSION:Overcorrection tends to occur after muscle surgery in restricted strabismus caused by TAO. Quantity of recession of muscle should be strictly controlled during the surgery. Lower eyelid retreat may occur in recession of inferior rectus muscle.