Surgical correction of large-angle exotropia in adults

A retrospective and longitudinal review of the outcome of strabismus surgery for adults with large- and very-large-angle manifest exodeviations, using two-, three- and four muscle horizontal recti surgery with adjustable sutures.

A total of 26 consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for socially noticeable strabismus comprising five primary, 16 consecutive, and five secondary constant exotropias with a mean near deviation of 58 prism dioptres and a mean distance deviation of 55Delta were evaluated preoperatively and at various time intervals postoperatively. Surgery involved two muscles in seven cases, three muscles in 13 cases, and four muscles in six cases; and 25 of 26 had adjustable sutures. There was a horizontal preoperative ocular movement deficit in 17 that was asymmetrical in four cases.

Binocularity was restored in eight patients (31%), 20 (77%) were within 10Delta of orthotropia, and 24 (92%) were happy with their cosmesis. Two had symptomatic asymmetrical ocular motility deficits postoperatively following a two-muscle procedure and one required reoperation. A total of 19 patients undergoing three- or four-muscle surgery were asymptomatic postoperatively. A total of 22 patients had follow-up of 8 months or more.

In adults with large-angle manifest exodeviations, adjustable suture surgery involving three or more horizontal recti successfully restores primary position alignment, a high degree of patient satisfaction, and can be expected to be associated with a low incidence of symptomatic postoperative asymmetrical ocular movement deficits.