Anatomical relationship between superior oblique muscle and superior rectus muscle varies as the eye rotates from primary position to depression. The anterior border of superior oblique tendon moves posterior to the superior rectus muscle during depression and the distance between two muscles becomes much greater.
We reviewed the topographical anatomy of 24 eyes from 16 patients with special attention to the distance between nasal edge of superior rectus muscle insertion and anterior border of superior oblique muscle on full downward rotated globe, and to the distance between temporal edge of superior rectus muscle insertion and anterior end of superior oblique muscle during the operation on superior recuts or oblique muscle. The average distance between nasal edge of superior rectus muscle insertion and anterior border of superior oblique muscle on full downward rotated globe is 10.04mm, and the average distance between temporal edge of superior rectus muscle insertion and anterior end of superior oblique muscle insertion and anterior end of superior oblique muscle insertion is 5.52mm. It is our purpose to present information about anatomical relationship which might affect the safety and predictability of superior oblique muscle and superior rectus muscle surgery on vertical deviated strabismus patient