The Clinical Analysis of Recurrence After Surgical Correction of Intermittent Exotropia

Lee, Jae Yong; Choi, Dong Gyu

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the recurrence rate, the recurrence time after surgical correction of intermittent exotropia and the relationships between the factors and the surgical outcome of intermittent exotropia.
METHODS
The surgical results were retrospectively investigated in 210 patients who had undergone surgery for intermittent exotropia with at least 3 months (average 26.3 months, range 1~65 months) after surgical correction. Surgical success was defined as a final distance and near deviation less than 10PD at primary position. Overcorrection was defined as a final distance and near esodeviation more than 10PD at primary position over 3 months. Recurrence was defined as a final distance and near exodeviation more than 10PD at primary position. We investigated the recurrence rate according to the follow-up duration with survival analysis.
RESULTS
Out of 210 patients, surgical success was achieved in 130 patients (61.9%), overcorrection was achieved in 7 patients (3.3%) and recurrence occurred in 73 patients (34.8%). As a result of surgical analysis, survival period (the time interval from onset to initial surgery) was from 1 to 65 months (mean 21.3 months). As the follow-up duration increased, the recurrence rate increased progressively. The factors including age at diagnosis, age at onset, age at surgery contribute significantly to the early recurrence. The factors including exodeviation at postoperative 1 day and 1 week, duration of exotropia contribute significantly to the late recurrence.
CONCLUSIONS
The factors including age, exodeviation at postoperative 1 day and 1 week, duration of exotropia and follow-up duration did contribute significantly to the recurrence. By these factors, we can estimate the proper time of surgery and the prognosis after surgical correction of intermittent exotropia.