Is “Earlier” Surgery a Sensory Benefit in the Treatment of Intermittent Exotropia

Abstract

Surgery for patients with intermittent exotropia is performed by some surgeons as soon as the deviation is seen and by others only when there is a deterioration in control of the deviation. Some suggest that a better sensory outcome occurs with earlier surgery and others believe a better result is possible if surgery is delayed until the child is older.

Fifty consecutive patients who had undergone surgery for intermittent exotropia were prospectively tested for their postoperative sensory status using the Titmus® Fly Stereotest at 1/3 meter and the American Optical Vectograph Project-o-Slide® at 6 meters.

Twenty-five of the patients had their surgery prior to age 4 years and 25 after age 4. Twenty-one of the 25 patients in the over age 4 group demonstrated excellent sensory status and 15 of 25 of the under age 4 group had excellent sensory findings. (Not statistically significant)

Thus, earlier surgery in these study groups did not produce a better sensory outcome.

• intermittent exotropia
• stereopsis
• sensory outcome
• age at surgery