In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of strabismus operations performed on patients aged 60 years and over. This study aims to establish the characteristics and outcomes of old age strabismus.

Patients aged 60 years and over who underwent strabismus surgery between January 2011 and December 2015 were included in this study. The purpose of surgery, type of strabismus, etiology, postoperative recurrence, prevalence of general and ocular complications, and postoperative diplopia rate were reviewed.

Ninety-eight patients aged 60 years or older were identified, and 58.2% of patients had strabismus surgery to improve diplopia, while 41.8% chose surgery for cosmetic purposes. Esotropia was the most common type of strabismus found in 40.8% of the patients, and horizontal-vertical combined type was the second highest at 29.6%. The etiology of strabismus was similarly high in both the restrictive pattern (31.6%) and neuro-paralytic pattern (30.6%). The recurrence rate after strabismus surgery was 4.1%, and the reoperation rate was 3.1%. The remnant diplopia rate after surgery in patients with diplopia was 15.8%, and the diplopia occurring rate in patients who underwent surgery for cosmetic purposes was 4.9%. No severe ocular complications such as anterior segment syndrome or eyeball rupture occurred. Anesthesia related problems did not occur in any of the patients who underwent general anesthesia.

Strabismus in patients aged 60 years and over is an effective and safe way to improve diplopia and cosmetic status by restoring ocular alignment.