Introduction

Although strabismus is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, a significant number of adult patients present to strabismus outpatient clinics with eye misalignment disorders, such as diplopia or mechanical strabismus. The aim of this study was to analyze the reasons for adult patients presenting to the strabismus outpatient clinic at the University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Warsaw, with a particular focus on diagnoses according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and the demographic characteristics of the study population.

Material and methods

The medical records of 200 consecutive patients over the age of 18 were retrospectively reviewed. Age, sex, primary ICD-10 diagnoses, and eligibility for surgical treatment were included in the analysis. A maximum of three diagnoses were recorded for each patient.

Results

Women constituted the majority of the study group (64%). The mean age was 52 years (range: 19–83 years). Exotropia was the most frequently diagnosed condition (33.5%), followed by mechanical strabismus (27%), which was typically due to thyroidassociated orbitopathy (26.5%). Paralytic strabismus was present in 13.5% of patients. Diplopia was the most common symptom reported during the visit (22.5%). A total of 65 individuals (32.5%) were considered eligible for surgical treatment.

Conclusions

Ocular misalignment disorders in adult patients constitute a significant clinical issue, often linked to systemic diseases, particularly thyroid disorders. Surgical treatment in adults has both functional and aesthetic implications. The presence of sensory strabismus cases underscores the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of binocular vision disorders in childhood.