Clinical observation on the timing of operation and therapy for the intermittent exotropia

Objective To observe the change of the function of binocular vision before and after surgery in intermittent exotropia, and analyze the timing of surgery. Methods A total of 97 intermittent exotropia patients were divided into two groups based on the age of surgery: 4-8 years group, 54 cases and 9-18 years group, 43 cases. The binocular vision restoration before and after surgery between the two groups were compared. Results The difference of the binocular vision function before and after surgery was statistically significant in the two groups. The 4-8 years group: z=-3.50, P=0.0005; and 9-18 years group: z=-2.02, P=0.04. There was also significant difference in near stereoacuity before and after surgery of the two groups. The 4-8 years group: z=-3.34, P=0.001; and 9-18 years group: z=-2.16, P=0.03. There was no significant difference in the correction rate between the two groups (χ2=0.33, P=0.57). The rebuilding rate of binocular vision after surgery was significantly higher in patients with fusion function before surgery (χ2=4.89, P=0.03). Conclusion Many factors need to be taken into consideration to choose the timing of surgery in intermittent exotropia, such as the position of eye, age, fusion range, binocular vision and so on. The surgery will substantially help to rebuild the binocular vision. Key words: Exotropia, intermittent; Timing, surgery; Binocular vision