Change of Postoperative Distance Stereoacuity in Intermittent Exotropic Patients

ABSTRACT

To determine whether distance stereoacuity improved following strabismus surgery in patients with intermittent exotropia, we tested distance stereoacuity of 107 patients preoperatively and postoperatively using the Mentor B-VAT IIVideo Acuity Tester. Following successful surgical alignment there was significant improvement of postoperative distance stereoacuity in binocular vision contour circles[BVC]and binocular vision random dot E[BVRDE]test[p<0.05 ]. Based on BVC testing, performance improved 45.8%of the patients after surgery, remained unchanged in 43.0%, and decreased in 11.2%. Based on BVRDE testing, performance improved 29.9%of the patients after surgery, remained unchanged in 66.4%, and decreased in 3.7%. But improvement of postoperative distance stereoacuity was not related statistically to age, operative methods, suppression, and preoperative size of deviation. From the results of this study, it is concluded that the BVC test is a useful test for assessing control in intermittent exotropic patients. Distance stereoacuity improved after successful operation, thus distance stereoacuity test may be helpful in evaluation of preoperative and postoperative intermittent exotropia control.