[Surgical correction of permanent exotropia outcomes in amblyopic and non-amblyopic patients]

Permanent exotropia (XT) occurs in 1 to 2% of the pediatric population. Its management involves careful assessment of patient, treatment of amblyopia, refractive errors and surgery. The aim of the surgery is to straighten the eyes in the primary gaze position, giving a better cosmetic outcome. The factors reported to affect surgical outcome after exotropia surgery vary widely in reports and success rates for strabismus surgery have been reported to range from 60% to 80%. There are few reports to determine the relation between amblyopia and surgical outcome in exotropic patients.

To compare the surgical outcome of permanent exotropia surgery in amblyopic and non-amblyopic patients.

This is a retrospective study of 37 clinical records from amblyopic patients (Group A) and non-amblyopic patients (Group B) who underwent recess-resect in one eye for XT. Postoperative deviation was analyzed in one month (immediate) and in six months (final) in both groups and in between. Age: group A 24.7 ± 14.2 years, group B 22.6 ± 18.6 years; Preoperative deviation: group A 29.1 ± 7.2(Δ), group B 28.4 ± 6.8(Δ).

The success rate in the immediate postoperative period was 60% (Group A) and 100% (Group B) (p<0.05); 50% (Group A) and 82.3% (Group B) (p=0.082) in the final postoperative period. There was a statistical difference in the immediate postoperative deviation, but the final deviation and the variation of the deviation were similar in both groups.

There is a better outcome in patients of group B and no diference in the surgical outcome between these amblyopic and non-amblyopic patients in the final postoperative period.