PURPOSE

To compare postoperative drift after bilateral lateral rectus recession (BLR) and after unilateral recession combined with medial rectus resection (R&R) in children with primary moderate-angle intermittent exotropia.

METHODS

The medical records of children with intermittent exotropia in the range of 25-50 who underwent BLR or R&R from July 2015 to September 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. Outcomes were classified according to postoperative angle of deviation at distance as overcorrection (esophoria or -tropia of >5), success (esophoria or -tropia of ≤5 to exophoria/tropia of ≤10), or recurrence (exophoria or -tropia of >10). Patients were examined on postoperative day 1 and at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. Sensory status was evaluated using the Titmus stereoacuity test.

RESULTS

A total of 330 children were included (BLR, 175; R&R, 155). Exotropic drift was greater in the R&R group in the period between day 1 and 6 weeks and from 6 to 12 months (P <0.05). Surgical successful rates in each group were comparable: 57.7% in the BLR group and 60.6% in the R&R group (P > 0.05). However, higher overcorrection rates were noted in the BLR group at 6 and 12 months (16.6% vs 6.5 % at 12 months [P = 0.003]). There were more patients with deteriorated stereopsis after surgery in the BLR group (P = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study cohort, BLR was associated with more stable long-term ocular alignment and a higher rate of overcorrection than R&R. Postoperative day 1 overcorrection of <16 following R&R and of <10 following BLR were associated with relatively good results.