Dynamic Electrooculography Findings for Medial Rectus Myofascial Release in Esodeviation

To determine which mechanisms are operative in releasing the extraocular myofascial tissue in response to extraocular myofascial release (EOMR) and to evaluate the effect of EOMR on saccadic velocity and esodeviation angle in patients with convergence spasm.

Fourteen patients with convergence spasm aged 20–35 participated in this research. The treatment included touching the medial rectus and its interrelated fascial tissue with the index finger pulp from over the eyelid for at least 300 s and applying very gentle and uniform pressure. We evaluated the saccadic velocity obtained from dynamic electrooculography (EOG) and the angle of deviation. The findings of dynamic EOG were used as a reliable quantitative method to assess eye movement function.

The amount of esodeviation decreased significantly at both far 2.39Δ, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.27–3.52) (P = 0.002) and near 5.57Δ, 95% CI (4.67–6.47) (P = 0.001) after two sessions of EOMR in a week. There was no significant difference in saccadic velocities before and after treatment.

In the short term, the EOMR only affects the static condition of the eye. Therefore, a significant improvement could be seen in the deviometric findings. However, the dynamic properties of the extraocular muscles did not improve and probably needed a more extended treatment period for acting the long‑term mechanisms.