Historical Perspective of Surgical Approaches to Intermittent Exotropia

Abstract

Introduction and Purpose

To outline the progression of thinking about intermittent exotropia and its surgery.

Patients and Methods

Review of publications over a period of approximately 200 years.

Results

Revision of the concept that the cause of intermittent exotropia is excessive divergence to one recognizing that intermittent exotropia is a position of rest modified by convergence. Advances in technology have contributed to surgical approaches, especially for reoperations.

Conclusion

Most of our presently employed surgical procedures for intermittent exotropia are revivals rather than new, and have been adapted for deviations formerly considered too small for operation.

• intermittent exotropia
• position of rest
• initial over-correction
• Duane and Burian classifications
• lateral incomitance