Comparison of Sensory and Motor Functions in Patients with Constant and Intermittent Infantile Exotropia

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare sensory and motor functions in patients with constant and intermittent primary infantile exotropia. METHODS: From March 2010 to November 2015, 58 patients with primary infantile exotropia were divided into a constant group (21 patients) and an intermittent group (37 patients) according to frequency of exodeviation at the first visit. Sex, family history of strabismus, age at diagnosis, spherical equivalent, and presence of amblyopia were compared. Angle of deviation, ocular motor function, and stereopsis were measured. RESULTS: Females were more prevalent (p = 0.027) and the spherical equivalent of the right eye was more myopic (-0.99 D) (p = 0.023) in the constant infantile exotropia group. However, there was no significant difference in family history of strabismus, age at diagnosis, amblyopia, latent nystagmus, or stereopsis between the two groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in angle of deviation at near or distance (p = 0.598, p = 0.518). Dissociated vertical deviation was accompanied in 2 patients in the constant group and 3 in the intermittent group. Inferior oblique overaction was accompanied in 8 patients in the constant group and 16 in the intermittent group, while vertical deviation was accompanied in 1 patient in the constant group and 3 in the intermittent group. However, there were no significant differences between the groups for any of these findings. CONCLUSIONS: Constancy of exodeviation is insufficient to diagnose primary infantile exotropia. Compared to those in whom exodeviation was intermittent, the patients with constant infantile exotropia showed similar clinical features. Therefore, close observation is recommended in patients with intermittent and constant infantile exotropia.

Clinical Manifestations of Constant Infantile Exotropia

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical course and surgical outcomes of constant infantile exotopia developed in the first year of life. METHODS: Eighteen patients diagnosed with constant infantile exotropia who underwent surgery between June 1993 and July 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. Age at diagnosis and surgery, refractive error, and preoperative and postoperative prism diopters were evaluated for all patients. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 7.3+/-2.2 months (2~11 months) and mean deviation was 47.2+/-16.6 prism diopters (PD) (25~90 PD). Inferior oblique muscle overaction was found in 3 (17%) patients. Bilateral lateral rectus muscle recession was performed in all patients and mean amount of recession was 8.0+/-0.9 mm (7.0~9.0 mm). The mean age at surgery was 16.7+/-4.1 months (7~24 months) and the mean postoperative follow-up period was 34.3+/-23.0 months (7~83 months). Thirteen patients (76%) showed stable alignments after the first operation and 3 patients (18%) required reoperation due to undercorrection and recurrence. Among them, one patient (6%) required a third operation. CONCLUSIONS: Early surgical intervention in constant infantile exotropia resulted in good postoperative outcome and stable alignments after the first operation.