Predictive factors underlying the restoration of macular binocular vision in adults with acquired strabismus.

PURPOSE

To investigate whether macular binocular vision can be permanently lost following acquired strabismus and to identify predictive factors underlying its restoration.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty-three patients with strabismus acquired after binocular vision maturation were enrolled. Factors studied included duration of eye misalignment, age at treatment, pre-surgical strabismus type, pre-surgical diplopia, and pre-surgical capacity for binocularity. The restoration of macular binocular vision was evaluated between 1 and 3 years following successful eye re-alignment and was defined as 60 seconds of arc stereopsis or better on the Titmus circles and/or the Preschool Randot Stereoacuity test.

RESULTS

Sixteen of 23 (70%) or 7/23 (30%) of patients achieved macular binocular vision following successful surgical eye realignment using the Titmus circles versus the Preschool Randot Stereoacuity test. Patients with < or =12 months constant eye misalignment were more likely to achieve macular binocular vision following treatment than patients with >12 months constant eye misalignment.

CONCLUSIONS

Macular binocular vision continues to be susceptible to permanent loss in adult patients. Factors that are predictive of the restoration of macular binocular vision include duration of constant eye misalignment and the pre-surgical capacity for binocularity.