Influence of existing retinal correspondence on the results of squint operations in alternating convergent strabism.

In our study we examined the influence of existing retinal correspondence on the result of squint operations for alternating convergent strabism. 157 patients under 10 years of age at the time of their first or only operation were included. They were divided into groups, depending on their age at the onset of squint and subgroups according to their type of retinal correspondence. The development of distance and near deviation was investigated separately. Covariance analysis demonstrated that the preoperative sensorial state is a predictor for the motor outcome of surgery with regard to postoperative distance deviation. Statistically we found at least noticeable results (p < 0.15) in all groups of patients--for acquired esotropia a significant result (p < 0.01). With regard to the postoperative near deviation we found a significant influence of the preoperative sensorial state only in the group of patients with a late onset of squint (p = 0.05). For patients with an earlier onset (before the 30th month) of strabismus, the preoperative angle of near deviation proved to have a significant impact on the postoperative development of near deviation (p < 0.05). Sensorio-motorial adaptational phenomena in esotropia are presumed to be the major cause for this difference.