The surgical treatment of intermittent exotropia

Abstract

A group of 38 cases of intermittent exotropia was examined. All operations were performed by the same surgeon. The follow-up period averaged 21 months. These patients were evaluated and treated, when necessary, by preoperative orthoptics. The records were analyzed for such characteristics as onset, duration, family history, visual acuity and refraction. These patients were classified into the following types of exotropia: primary (divergence excess), convergence insufficiency, and combined. The basic physiology of this condition is discussed. The progressive nature of this entity is demonstrated. The choice of operation depended upon the presence or absence of a significant deviation at near. In the postoperative evaluation, the absence of a tropia was the criteria for adequate surgical correction. Only 26 patients (68%) were adequately corrected.