Is alignment within 8 prism diopters of orthotropia a successful outcome for infantile esotropia surgery?
OBJECTIVE
To determine if there is better long-term motor alignment or sensory outcome 5 years after surgery for infantile esotropia for patients who exhibit any of three categories of alignment 6 months after surgery: orthotropia, up to 8 prism diopters (delta) of esotropia, or up to 8 delta of exotropia.


METHODS
A 15-year prospective study with 5-year outcome determination was conducted in surgically treated esotropic infants.


RESULTS
Of 118 patients in the study group, 24 had orthotropia, 84 had up to 8 delta of esotropia, and 10 had up to 8 delta of exotropia 6 months after surgery. The patients who were orthotropic 6 months after surgery were more likely to show good alignment and better binocularity 5 years after surgery than were patients with small-angle esotropia or small-angle exotropia. Patients who were esotropic 6 months after surgery were more likely to have good alignment and binocularity 5 years after surgery than were patients who were exotropic 6 months after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Small-angle esotropia, small-angle exotropia, and orthotropia are not equally desirable outcomes after surgery for infantile esotropia. Orthotropia is a decidedly better outcome than a small-angle esotropia, which is preferable to a small-angle exotropia.
Kushner
B J
BJ
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
Fisher
M
M
D004948:Esotropia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005099:Exotropia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015348:Vision, Binocular / Q000502:physiology