The Challenge of Strabismus Surgery for Patients with Hemianopic Visual Field Defects Associated with Ocular Deviations.

Homonymous and heteronymous hemianopias associated with strabismus are a therapeutic challenge because surgery may result in diplopia, decrease the visual field (VF), and/or lead to recurrence of the deviation. We present four cases: two homonymous hemianopias and two heteronymous hemianopias. Of the four patients, three had exotropia and one had esotropia. The origin of hemianopias was neoplastic in two cases and traumatic in two cases. Strabismus surgery was performed in three cases, but only one case had a good result; recurrence of the deviation and diplopia occurred in the other two cases. In conclusion, exotropia may develop as a compensatory mechanism in a patient with congenital or early-onset homonymous hemianopia and realigning the eyes could reduce the binocular VF and cause diplopia. In heteronymous hemianopias, there is little risk of the surgery causing diplopia, but the strabismus is unstable because of the absence of binocular vision and vergence reflexes if VF loss includes the macula. Further, strabismus, in association with hemianopia, may be caused by coexistent cranial nerve and/or gaze palsy. The prognosis, objective, and results of the strabismus operation should be clearly discussed with the patients or their guardians before it is performed if hemianopias are present.

Binocular Visual Deficits at Low to High Spatial Frequency in Intermittent Exotropia After Surgery.

Purpose: To investigate binocular visual deficits at low to high spatial frequencies in patients with intermittent exotropia (IXT) after surgical correction, using the binocular orientation combination task. Methods: Thirteen patients whose IXT has been aligned surgically (17 ± 4.8 years old; 7 females) and 13 normal individuals (21.8 ± 2.5 years old; 6 females) were recruited. All participants had normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity. The IXT patients had undergone surgery at least one month prior to the study and achieved successful eye alignment post-surgery. We measured participants' balance points (BPs), defined as the interocular contrast ratio (nondominant eye/dominant eye) when both eyes contributed equally to binocular combination, using the binocular orientation combination task at three spatial frequencies (0.5, 4.0, and 8.0 cycles/degree). The absolute values of log10(BP) (i.e., |logBP|) and the area under of the |logBP| versus spatial frequency curve were used to quantify the extent of binocular imbalance. Results: Surgery aligned the eye position of patients with IXT, with a postoperative exodeviation of -4.92 ± 4.29 prism diopters at distance. Participants' |logBP| values showed significant differences between groups, F(1,24) = 9.175, P = 0.006, and across spatial frequencies, F(2,48) = 7.127, P = 0.002. However, the interaction between group and spatial frequency was not significant, F(2,48) = 0.379, P = 0.687. Conclusions: Patients whose IXT has been alighted surgically experience binocular imbalance across a wide range of spatial frequencies, with greater binocular imbalance occurring at high spatial frequencies than low spatial frequencies.

Pencil push-up training compared with binocular vision training in the management of slight post-operative under-correction of intermittent exotropia: A prospective study.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of pencil push-up training and binocular vision training in treating post-operative mild under-correction in patients with intermittent exotropia. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted, including patients who underwent surgery for intermittent exotropia at Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between June 2022 and January 2023 and experienced post-operative mild under-correction (-8∆ to -15∆). Patients were divided into two groups: pencil push-up training group and binocular vision training group. All patients underwent measurements of exodeviation and stereoacuity at distance and near, sensory fusion, and fusion convergence amplitude. The data were analyzed using independent sample t-tests, repeated measures analysis of variance, and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in exodeviation at distance and near between the two training groups before the training. After 6 months of training, the exodeviation at distance and near achieved a significant decrease in both groups (P < 0.05), and the pencil push-up training group showed a similar distance and near exodeviation compared to the binocular vision training group (t = 1.58, P ＞ 0.05; t = 0.43, P ＞ 0.05). After 6 months of training, the binocular vision training group exhibited significantly superior stereoacuity and fusion convergence amplitude compared to the pencil push-up training group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both pencil push-up training and binocular vision training are effective in reducing exodeviation in patients with post-operative mild under-correction of intermittent exotropia. However, binocular vision training demonstrates superior efficacy in restoring stereopsis and fusion convergence amplitude compared to pencil push-up training.

Nasal loop myopexy for management of exotropia-hypotropia complex associated with high myopia.

INTRODUCTION: Exotropia-hypotropia complex is an uncommon phenomenon associated with high myopia. However, some literature reports cases of the exotropia-hypotropia complex where residual hypotropia is managed through a secondary surgery following the conventional recession-resection of the lateral rectus (LR) and medial rectus (MR). Nasal Loop myopexy as a primary surgical procedure for the management of exotropia-hypotropia complex has been rarely reported in the literature. METHODS: A 24-year-old male with unilateral high myopia presented with a large angle exotropia-hypotropia complex with limitation of elevation in abduction in his left eye. His ocular deviation was successfully managed through a nasal loop myopexy of the superior rectus (SR) and MR using a non-absorbable suture, combined with large LR recession and MR resection. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the patient had satisfactory ocular alignment with improved hypotropia and normal elevation in abduction, contributing to enhanced binocular vision and better cosmesis. DISCUSSION: Managing the exotropia-hypotropia complex in the context of high myopia demands a comprehensive approach that addresses both vertical and horizontal deviations. The surgical strategy employed in this case, which included loop myopexy of SR and MR along with LR recession and MR resection, achieved positive outcomes regarding alignment, elevation, and binocular vision. The case supports variations in muscle path and the potential benefits of tailored surgical strategies for complex strabismus cases associated with high myopia.

The comparison of postoperative changes in subjective awareness of exodeviation between pediatric and adult patients with intermittent exotropia.

To evaluate pre- and postoperative changes in the subjective awareness of exodeviation in patients with intermittent exotropia and compare pediatric and adult patients. This retrospective study included pediatric (6-17 years) and adult patients (≥18 years) with intermittent exotropia who underwent surgery. Patients with subjective awareness of exodeviation associated with exotropia were included. Postoperative improvement was defined as a decrease in the subjective awareness of exodeviation and alleviation of associated symptoms after surgery. Changes in subjective awareness of exodeviation after surgery were evaluated and compared between pediatric and adult patients. Clinical factors associated with postoperative improvement in subjective awareness of exodeviation were analyzed. A total of 195 patients (159 pediatric and 36 adult) were included. Among the included patients, 145 (74.4%, 145/195) reported postoperative improvements in their subjective awareness of exodeviation. A lower percentage of adult patients (15/36, 41.7%) showed postoperative improvement in subjective awareness of exodeviation than that of pediatric patients (130/159, 81.8%, P < .001). The level of distant control was significantly associated with postoperative improvement in subjective awareness of exodeviation in adult patients (odds ratio, 1.151; 95% confidence interval, 0.030-0.758; P = .022). There was a significant difference in the postoperative change in the subjective awareness of exodeviation between pediatric and adult patients with intermittent exotropia. Adult patients are less likely to exhibit postoperative improvement in subjective awareness of exodeviation than pediatric patients. Adult patients with a better level of distant control are more likely to show postoperative improvement in their subjective awareness of exodeviation.

Experience with Strabologic Surgery on Pediatric Patients with Divergence Excess Exotropia.

AIM: This retrospective clinical study evaluates the results of surgical treatment of patients diagnosed with intermittent exotropia of the divergence excess type. The study compares the results of surgery delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic (patients underwent the surgery after the age of eight), versus a group of younger children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The objective angle of deviation and quality of binocular functions were examined. The follow-up period was six months after surgery. The patients were divided into two groups according to age: 4-7 years and 8-13 years. Each group included 20 patients. The second group comprised patients whose surgery was postponed due to restrictions on elective surgery during the ongoing pandemic. The surgery took place at the University Hospital in Pilsen. Angle of deviation and binocular functions were examined before surgery, postoperatively, and three and six months after surgery. Data were collected retrospectively and statistically processed. The main values were plotted in charts. RESULTS: Accordance between the angle of deviation before surgery in both groups was statistically demonstrated. During the six-month follow-up period, the median angle of deviation was statistically without proof of disparity between the groups. Six months after surgery, an objective angle of deviation within the limit ±5 degrees was achieved in 65% of patients from the first group and in 75% from the second group. Binocular vision before surgery was statistically without proof of difference between both groups. However the statistical processing demonstrated a difference between the two groups six months after the surgery. Better binocular functions were achieved by the younger children in the first group. CONCLUSION: The objective deviation angle was comparable in both study groups prior to surgery as well as six months after the surgery. The first group of younger patients attained a higher quality of binocular functions within the six-month follow-up period compared to children operated on after the age of eight. This claim was statistically verified.

Divergence excess and basic exotropia types of intermittent exotropia: a major review. Part 2: non-surgical and surgical treatment options.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, there is no consensus regarding the management of intermittent exotropia (IXT), which includes both surgical and non-surgical treatment options. Nonsurgical management of IXT has been suggested and includes watchful observation, patching, overminus lenses, prism, and vision therapy/orthoptics. While a significant portion of IXT patients are treated by surgery, it is reported that there is a substantial tendency for reoperation or recurrence of IXT. This paper provides a comprehensive review of non-surgical and surgical treatment options for the IXT. METHODS: Search strategies involving combination of keywords including intermittent exotropia, divergence excess, basic exotropia, refractive error, glasses, spectacles, natural history, untreated, observe, occlusion, patch, overminus, overcorrecting minus, prism, vision therapy, orthoptic, anti-suppression, fusion exercise, and surgery were used in Medline. All English articles from 01/01/1900 to 01/09/2020 were reviewed. The reference list of the identified articles was also checked for additional relevant articles. Studies focused on animal models or strabismus associated with neurologic disorders or injury were excluded. The following filters were used for surgical management due to the abundance of reports: full text, randomized controlled trial, review, in the last 5 years. RESULTS: Appropriate optical correction of refractive error is generally the starting point for all management approaches, but there is a lack of randomized clinical trial data regarding this treatment modality. Randomized clinical trial data indicate that both observation and occlusion are reasonable management options for children 3-10 years old, and there were insufficient data to recommend occlusion for children 12-35 months old. While overminus lenses were found to improve the control of IXT when assessed wearing overminus spectacles, this improvement did not persist after the treatment ended. The result of the only randomized clinical trial on the effectiveness of base-in prism indicated that this treatment is no more effective than nonprism spectacles for improving control. A recent randomized clinical trial showed that vision therapy/orthoptics is effective in improving the control of IXT when compared to observation alone. Surgery was found to alter a number of clinical characteristics of IXT, including reducing the distance and near angle of deviation, reducing photophobia, improving health-related quality of life, stereopsis, and the Newcastle Control Score. However, there are no randomized clinical trial data comparing surgery with a control group such as placebo or a no treatment observation group. DISCUSSION: Rigorously designed clinical trials to investigate the effectiveness of non-surgical and surgical treatments for intermittent exotropia are needed.

Long-term comparison of horizontal rectus surgery with vertical tendon transposition and combined vertical tendon transposition and inferior oblique-weakening in V-pattern exotropia.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of bilateral lateral rectus recession with vertical tendon transposition (LRVT) and LRVT combined with inferior oblique (IO) disinsertion for V-pattern exotropia. METHODS: The medical records of patients who had mild-to-moderate (+1 and +2) inferior oblique overaction (IOOA) and underwent half-tendon-width upward LRVT (transposition group), and LRVT with IO disinsertion (combined surgery group) for V-pattern exotropia and who had at least 3 years of postoperative follow-up were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients were included: 22 in the transposition group and 23 in the combined surgery group. Preoperatively, there were no differences in V pattern, IOOA, or horizontal misalignment in primary position, upgaze, or downgaze between groups. The amount of exotropia in the primary position was 30.2Δ ± 10.7Δ in the transposition group, and 31.6Δ ± 14.1Δ in the combined surgery group (P = 0.974). A significant decrease in V pattern was observed in the combined surgery group and the transposition group at 6 months and 3 years postoperatively (P < 0.001). The reduction of V pattern in the combined surgery group at 6 months (20.2Δ ± 7.8Δ vs 15.6Δ ± 6.9Δ [P = 0.02]) and 3 years (20.1Δ ± 8.1Δ vs 15.2Δ ± 7.1Δ [P = 0.014]) was found to be greater than the transposition group. There were no differences in the success rate in the primary position at 6 months (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both tendon transposition with horizontal rectus surgery and combined tendon transposition and IO-weakening surgery decreased V-pattern exotropia. However, combined surgery had a greater effect on decreasing V pattern in patients with mild-to-moderate IOOA.

Self-Reported Findings of the Korean Intermittent Exotropia Multicenter Study Questionnaire.

PURPOSE: To determine subjective symptoms and medical history of patients with intermittent exotropia in a large study population. METHODS: The Korean Intermittent Exotropia Multicenter Study (KIEMS) is a nationwide, observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted by the Korean Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus including 5,385 patients with intermittent exotropia. Subjective symptoms and medical history of patients with intermittent exotropia were extracted by a comprehensive survey based on a self-administered questionnaire according to the study protocol of the KIEMS. RESULTS: The mean age of symptom onset was 5.5 years. The most common symptom reported in patients with intermittent exotropia was photophobia (52.1%), followed by diplopia at near fixation (7.3%) and distance fixation (6.2%). Preterm birth was found in 8.8%, and 4.1% had perinatal complications. A family history of strabismus was present in 14.9%, and 5.5% of patients had a family member who underwent strabismus surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The KIEMS is one of the largest clinical studies on intermittent exotropia. Intermittent exotropia frequently caused photophobia and diplopia, and patients with a family history was not uncommon.

Intermittent Exotropia: The Effect of Alternating Occlusion Therapy on Control of Strabismus.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent exotropia is a common form of pediatric strabismus characterized by intermittent misalignment of the eyes. This study investigated the clinical effectiveness of alternating occlusion therapy as a non-surgical alternative for children aged 3-10 with intermittent exotropia. METHODS: A comprehensive review of recent research, including randomized controlled trials and case series, was conducted. These studies utilized standardized control scores to assess the impact of alternating occlusion therapy on both distance and near control of alignment. RESULTS: The findings indicated a significant improvement in exotropia control, particularly at distance fixation, among children undergoing alternating occlusion therapy. While some variability in outcomes exists, all articles demonstrate positive responses to this noninvasive approach. Notably, the patients with poor initial control tended to benefit the most. DISCUSSION: The potential advantages of alternating occlusion therapy are its cost-effectiveness and noninvasive nature. However, it is essential to manage patient and parental expectations and address potential drawbacks, including social stress, irritation associated with occlusion therapy and the possibility that strabismus surgery may still be needed in the future because of decompensation. CONCLUSION: Alternating occlusion therapy is a promising option to improve exotropia control in children with intermittent exotropia. It offers a viable non-surgical strategy to delay or potentially avoid strabismus surgery, although approximately 45% of the patients might eventually still require strabismus surgery. Healthcare providers should carefully weigh the benefits and limitations of this intervention to make informed decisions through shared decision-making with the patients and their families. This review offers diverse insights into the clinical management of intermittent exotropia and provides an evidence-based alternative to surgical interventions.

Long-term surgical outcomes of one-muscle vs. two-muscle horizontal strabismus surgery.

PURPOSE: While horizontal strabismus surgery is generally considered to have favorable outcomes, success rates can vary by type of procedure. Our purpose is to compare the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent one-muscle vs. two-muscle horizontal strabismus surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective study comparing one-muscle to two-muscle strabismus surgery for small to moderate angle horizontal strabismus. Demographic data and eye exam parameters were compared at baseline and postoperatively (6 months up to 6 years). Surgical success was defined as a post-operative angle of 10 PD or less. We also compared outcomes by strabismus type: esotropia vs exotropia and adjusted the analysis for previous strabismus surgery. RESULTS: Out of 89 patients with moderate angle horizontal strabismus (25 PD or less), 17 patients had a one-muscle operation, and 72 patients had two-muscle surgery. The mean age was 14.12 ± 9.30 years and 11.70 ± 11.30 years for the one-muscle and two-muscle groups, respectively (p = .74). The baseline characteristics of both groups were comparable. Follow-up time was 32.82 ± 26.93 months in one-muscle and 37.67 ± 23.81 in two-muscle groups (p = .29). Success rate was 70.6% for the one-muscle group and 68.10% for the two-muscle group (p = .69). Outcomes were similar when divided into esotropia and exotropia. The success rate was not affected by previous strabismus surgeries nor by the initial angle of deviation. CONCLUSION: One-muscle and two-muscle horizontal strabismus surgery had similar long-term outcomes and did not differ by strabismus type nor by angle of deviation.

Sensory exotropia versus sensory esotropia: A comparative clinical features study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the preoperative clinical features of patients with sensory esotropia (ET) and sensory exotropia (XT). METHODS: In a retrospective study, the medical records of 13,252 patients who underwent strabismus surgery were reviewed at the Farabi Eye Hospital, Iran, from 2012 to March 2022. There were 1017 patients with sensory horizontal strabismus whose, in their worse eye, had corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) equal to or <20/160 tested with the Snellen chart. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 29.0 ± 12.4 years [574 (56.4%) males and 443 (43.6%) females]. Sensory XT and ET were observed in 717 (70.5%) and 300 (29.5%) patients, respectively (P<.001). The mean CDVA in the strabismic and non-strabismic eyes was 1.40 ± 0.75 and 0.05 ± 0.13, respectively (P<.001). Also, the CDVA in the strabismic eyes was significantly worse in the patients with sensory XT than in the patients with sensory ET (P<.001). Sphere and spherical equivalent (SE) components were more hyperopic in both eyes of patients with sensory ET than sensory XT (P<.001). In sensory ET group, the mean horizontal deviation at far and near was significantly higher than the sensory XT group (both P<.001). The prevalence of moderate and severe amblyopia among all patients with sensory strabismus was 274 (26.9%) and 727 (71.5%), respectively (P<.001). There were 398 (39.1%) patients who needed more than one surgery. CONCLUSION: The frequency of sensory XT was about 2.5 times more than the sensory ET. Most patients with sensory ET were operated at a younger age, had better CDVA, more hyperopic spherical and SE, and higher angle of deviation compared with patients with sensory XT. The chance of reoperation in patients with sensory strabismus was about 40%.

Aberrant regeneration of accommodation in pediatric inferior division oculomotor palsy.

Aberrant regeneration occurs in forms of oculomotor motor nerve palsy and frequently involves the pupil, but the incidence and functional impact of ciliary muscle involvement in pediatric patients is sparsely reported in the literature. A 4-year-old girl presented with inflammatory oculomotor motor nerve paresis affecting the inferior division. Initial treatment focused on her inability to accommodate through her physiologic +2.5 D hyperopia and the prevention and treatment of amblyopia. She subsequently developed aberrant regeneration of the pupil, with miosis on adduction. Following eye muscle surgery for residual exotropia and hypertropia, her dry refraction was noted to be more myopic in the affected eye on adduction, mirroring aberrant pupillary constriction. Recognition of pediatric aberrant regeneration of accommodation may influence surgical planning for oculomotor nerve palsy and/or management of amblyopia.

The impact of simultaneous correction of the V pattern on the results of surgical treatment in children with intermittent exotropia.

PURPOSE: This study is to investigate the impact of the coexistence of basic intermittent exotropia and vertical incomitance in the form of the V and sub-V pattern on the results of surgical correction of intermittent exotropia. METHODS: The records of 81 pediatric patients who had surgery for intermittent exotropia and a follow-up of more than 1 year were reviewed retrospectively. They were divided into groups: a concomitant group which underwent only horizontal muscle surgery of bilateral lateral rectus recession and a V pattern group which had additional inferior oblique recession, further separated into two subgroups: ≥ 15 prism diopters (classic V pattern group) and ≥ 10 < 15 prism diopters (sub-V pattern group). The surgical outcome, deviation control, stereoacuity, and postoperative drift were assessed after 3 months and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients with sub-V and classic V pattern intermittent exotropia showed significantly better surgical success rate (p = 0.025) and less postoperative drift (p = 0.042) than patients without vertical incomitance. One year after surgery, successful surgical outcome was achieved in 83.72% of the vertically incomitant group: 80.76% for the classic V pattern and 88.24% for the sub-V pattern group, while only in 60.53% of nonpattern patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients operated for intermittent exotropia with a coexistent V pattern have consistently better surgical long-term results than those with only horizontal deviation. Additional inferior oblique recessions in the sub V pattern group provided excellent outcomes with no overcorrections; therefore, surgeons should consider addressing vertical incomitance even when the typical criteria for the V pattern are not met.

Outcomes for Intermittent Exotropia Using Three Common Surgical Approaches.

PURPOSE: To compare a single surgeon's surgical outcomes for treating intermittent exotropia using bilateral lateral rectus recession (BLR), unilateral lateral rectus recession and medial rectus resection (RR), and unilateral lateral rectus recession and medial rectus plication (RP). METHODS: A retrospective review of all surgeries for basic intermittent exotropia between 2015 and 2023 was performed. Only patients with initial correction using BLR, RR, or RP were included. Exclusion criteria included age older than 18 years, vertical deviation, any nonrefractive ocular diagnoses, prior ocular surgery, and inadequate follow-up. RESULTS: There were 460 patients identified; 123 met inclusion criteria with 54 in the BLR group, 41 in the RR group, and 28 in the RP group. The average pre-operative distance alignment (and standard error) values for the BLR, RR, and RP groups were 25.07 (7.35), 22.44 (5.95), and 23.84 (6.42) prism diopters (PD), respectively. At 1 year, the postoperative distance alignment values for the BLR, RR, and RP groups were 8.72 (7.89), 7.46 (6.31), and 12.83 (6.82) PD, respectively (P = .03). A subanalysis found a significant difference between the BLR and RP (P = .02) and RR and RP (P = .02) groups. There was no difference between the BLR and RR groups (P = .57). CONCLUSIONS: This study of three surgical approaches for intermittent exotropia found RP had a significantly larger angle of exodeviation compared to BLR and RR at 1 year of follow-up. Both BLR and RR were equally effective approaches for treating intermittent exotropia. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(4):287-290.].

Special clinical features with a novel mutation site of CHN1 gene in a Chinese family with Duane retraction syndrome.

PURPOSE: This study is to describe the special clinical and genotypic features of a Chinese family with variant types of Duane retraction syndrome and to present our experience on managing these cases. METHODS: Four individuals from one family were reviewed by ophthalmologic examinations, in which two affected and two unaffected individuals were revealed. MRI scans were performed on the two patients. Relevant gene mutations were screened by the next-generation sequencing technology and confirmed by Sanger sequencing technology. RESULTS: The six-year-old proband presented with special clinical features of severe horizontal gaze dysfunction, exotropia and mild scoliosis. His mother showed significantly limited binocular abductions, with retraction of eyeballs in adduction. From MRI scans, abducens nerves were not observed in both patients and the oculomotor nerve was slightly thin in the proband. The proband and his mother shared the same CHN1 gene mutation site (c. 62A>G; p.Y21C). Strabismus surgery was performed on the proband to correct the primary gaze exotropia.(NM_001822: exon3 or NM_001025201: exon4: c. 62A>G; p.Y21C). CONCLUSIONS: A novel CHN1 gene mutation was revealed from a Chinese family with Duane retraction syndrome. Remarkably, the proband and his mother presented different clinical features of ocular motility disorder. Strabismus correction surgery and amblyopia training helped to improve the appearance and visual function of the proband.

Combined recession and resection of the same lateral Rectus in the treatment of exotropia.

BACKGROUND: Besides rest position abnormalities, exotropia could also be due to hypertonia of the Lateral Recti (LR) given divergence frequently decreases under general anesthesia (GA). Combined Recession-Resection of the Same Muscle (RRSM) is a promising alternative to the Faden procedure in the surgical treatment of overacting MR in esotropia. We thus examined here the effectiveness of combined RRSM of the LR for the treatment of exotropia that decrease under GA. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, single-center evaluation over a 16-month period of 100 patients operated on for exotropia that decreased under deep GA (91% of 110 consecutive operated cases). We excluded re-operations and pure convergence insufficiencies. We performed a combined RRSM of one or two LR. It included a 10mm-recession and a "fine-tuned" resection of LR based on Quantitative Forced Duction Test scores. MR resection was combined when exotropia exceeded 35PD or for unilateral surgery. We report on patient outcomes 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Successful results were obtained (-8-+8 PD measured on Alternate Cover Test) among 83% of cases at distance fixation and 91% at near fixation after 6 months. The Newcastle Control Score also improved from 5.8 to 1.7 after 6 months. No surgery-related complications or repeat surgeries were reported. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience a majority of exotropias decrease under GA and our strategy of combined RRSM of the LR is effective for the treatment of such exotropias. Long-term follow-up of the cohort is required to investigate the stability of these outcomes, and confirmation of our results by other works.

Medial Rectus Inferior Half Plication for the Treatment of Near Exotropia.

PURPOSE: To report a relatively new surgical treatment for near exotropia called medial rectus inferior half plication. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of the outcomes from a single surgeon performing a plication of the inferior half of the medial rectus muscle in 17 consecutive patients with near exotropia unresponsive to medial rectus bupivacaine injection. RESULTS: Thirteen of 17 (76%) patients were asymptomatic after surgery with no diplopia for near fixation and with either a normal or slightly reduced prism fusion range enabling them to have comfortable binocular single vision. There was one minor surgical overcorrection with distance diplopia that disappeared within 2 weeks of surgery. Of the 4 of 17 (24%) patients who required further intervention, 3 required one further surgical procedure and 1 required an injection of bupivacaine into the contralateral medial rectus muscle to obtain a satisfactory alignment and control of symptoms. No patient needed more than two total operations. CONCLUSIONS: The data show medial rectus inferior plication can produce excellent outcomes with minimal risk of overcorrection. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(3):219-222.].

Improvement of binocular summation in intermittent exotropia following successful postoperative alignment.

To investigate the improvement of binocular summation (BiS) at high contrast (100%) and different low contrasts (10, 5 and 2.5%) in patients with intermittent exotropia (IXT) after successfully postoperative alignment. A total of 76 patients (aged 9-40 years) with IXT and poor control at distance before surgery were enrolled in this study. The postoperative deviations ranged between 4 PD esophoria to 10 PD exotropia in the primary position (at near and at distance) in all the enrolled patients. The follow-up visits were 2-3 months after the surgery. We analyzed preoperative and postoperative BiS and the proportions of patients with different BiS for the high contrast and the low contrasts. Binocular summation (BiS) was classified into three situations: binocular summation, equal and inbibition. The results of the distant random dots stereograph (RDS) were grouped into A, unable to recognize; B, moderate, 200″ ≤ RDS ≤ 400″ and C, good, RDS < 200″. Following the successful postoperative alignment, the proportion of patients with BiS were increased from 9.2 to 40.8%, 17.1 to 53.9%, 21.1 to 76.1% and 21.1 to 72.4% at 100%, 10%, 5% and 2.5% contrasts respectively. At 2.5% contrast, (1) more patients presented binocular summation in the groups B and C; (2) postoperative improvements of binocular visual acuity (BVA) in groups B (1.5 ± 1.03 lines) and C (1.57 ± 1.26 lines) were significantly different from the BVA in the group A (0.74 ± 1.00 line); and (3) in the group with central fusion, more patients presented BiS after surgery and the postoperative BVA improved by 1.43 ± 1.16 lines. Binocular summation for high contrast and different low contrasts can be improved in patients with IXT after successful surgical treatment. The improvement of BiS was associated with obtaining central fusion, recovering distant stereopsis and good alignment after the surgeries. The most significant improvement was shown at 2.5% contrast and was associated with good stereopsis and central fusion. The improvement of BiS, particularly at low contrast, has benefits for the daily activities in the real environment. BiS improvement could be used as a supplementary assessment of binocular function in patients with IXT before and after treatment.

Clinical factors affecting the rate of exodrift after surgery in patients with basic intermittent exotropia.

We investigated the period of postoperative exodrift during follow-up and clinical factors that affect the rate of exodrift after surgery in the patients with intermittent exotropia (IXT). A retrospective review of medical records of patients with exodrift who underwent bilateral rectus recession for IXT was performed. Exodrift was defined as angle of deviation greater than 10 prism diopters (PD) at distance and near. The median survival period of postoperative exodrift was analyzed using Kaplan Meier survival analysis. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median period of postoperative exodrift (early and late group). The weighted Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis to investigate the risk factors that affect rate of postoperative exodrift was performed. A total of 108 patients was included. The preoperative angle of deviation at distance and near were 30.3 ± 7.2 PD and 29.5 ± 8.6 PD, respectively. The median survival period of postoperative exodrift was 24 months (range, 6-48 months).The angle of deviation at postoperative day 1 in early and late group were - 3.8 ± 5.5 PD (range, - 16-8 PD) and - 7.7 ± 4.6 PD (range, - 16-4 PD) (p < 0.01). Minus value means esodeviation. In regression analysis, the angle of deviation at postoperative day 1 was the significantly related with rate of exodrift (p < 0.01). The median period of exodrift after surgery was 24 months, angle of deviation at postoperative day 1 could affect the rate of exodrift in patients with IXT.