Spontaneous Regression of Exodeviation in Intermittent Exotropia

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the characteristics of the intermittent exotropia patients with spontaneous regression to the surgically corrected group. METHODS: Twenty-five patients who had exodeviation of around 25 prism diopters (PD). Visual acuity and best corrected visual acuity were measured. The latter was obtained by using cycloplegic refraction. Far and near deviation angles were measured through alternating prism cover test. Stereo acuity was measured using a Titmus stereo acuity test chart and occlusion was performed for those who had more than 2 lines of difference between the best corrected visual acuity of the left and right eyes on the Snellen E chart. We divided the patients into two groups. The first group is the spontaneous regression group (SRG), who showed declining deviation angles and maintained less than 10 PD for more than 3 months. The second group is the surgically corrected group (SCG), showed the same or increasing deviation angle and underwent operation. RESULTS: There was no difference in the age or observation period between the two groups. The prevalence period was significantly higher in the SRG than in the SCG. The deviation angle from a distance at the first visit was not different for the SCG from that of the SRG. However, the deviation angle at near was significantly larger for the SCG than that of the SRG and increased at the last examination. Stereo acuity of the SRG was better than that of the SCG at the first visit. CONCLUSIONS: Deviation angle could be reduced in the mild intermittent exotropia patients with relatively small deviation angle at near or with good stereo acuity.