Interventions for intermittent distance exotropia: review.
OBJECTIVE
Management decisions in intermittent distance exotropia vary and lack well-defined clinical guidelines. We undertook a systematic review in an attempt to clarify the effects of various surgical and nonsurgical treatments and to establish the significance of factors such as age with respect to outcome. The review was undertaken in collaboration with the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group.


METHODS
Electronic and manual searches were undertaken to identify randomised controlled trials of surgical or nonsurgical treatments for intermittent distance exotropia. We also contacted researchers active in this field for information about further published or unpublished studies. There were no language restrictions. Study abstracts identified from the searches were analysed independently by the two reviewers (SR and LG) and marked for inclusion, exclusion, or consideration. Reviewer analysis was compared and full papers for appropriate studies were requested.


RESULTS
No randomised controlled trials were found that met our selection criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
The current literature consists mainly of retrospective reviews. These are difficult to compare and analyse due to variations in definition, intervention criteria, and outcome measures. However, there appears to be an agreement that the nonsurgical treatment is more appropriate in small-angle deviations or as a supplement to surgery. Studies supporting both early and late surgical intervention were found, so the optimal timing of surgical intervention could not be concluded. There is a need for robust clinical trials to improve the evidence base for the management of this condition.
Gnanaraj
L
L
Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK.
Richardson
S R
SR
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005099:Exotropia / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D009988:Orthoptics; D018579:Patient Selection; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013285:Strabismus / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015351:Vision Screening