Early surgery for infantile esotropia

To investigate the postoperative eye alignment and binocular visual function after early surgery for infantile esotropia.

Both the postoperative eye position and stereopsis were reviewed using the Titmus stereo test in nine patients who received uniocular medial rectus recession and lateral rectus resection under general anaesthesia before 8 months of age and were followed up for a minimum of 4 years.

Orthophoria was attained in three cases, whereas esotropia was found in four patients. Dissociated vertical deviation was noted in two other cases at the final examination. Static stereoacuity was achieved in five cases. These results also showed that most infants in whom stereopsis was attained had satisfactory eye alignment during the follow up period and at the final examination. Infants who did not achieve stereopsis still had deviation throughout the follow up period.

It was concluded that early surgery in infantile esotropia is beneficial to achieve binocular visual function, but it is necessary to confirm a stable angle of deviation with accurate preoperative evaluation, and to maintain good postoperative eye alignment throughout the follow up period.