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Published on: December 14, 2012
Does occlusion therapy improve control in intermittent exotropia?
Lina S AlKahmous1, Ahmed A Al-Saleh2
1King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Occlusion therapy for intermittent exotropia (IXT) in children improved sensory status and fusional amplitudes. While it did not reduce the deviation angle, it may help postpone surgery and enhance surgical outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
Background:
- Intermittent exotropia (IXT) is a common childhood strabismus.
- Effective management strategies are crucial for visual development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess occlusion therapy's efficacy for IXT in Saudi Arabian children (4-10 years).
- To emphasize the importance of patching for IXT management.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort pilot study involving 21 untreated IXT patients.
- Evaluated deviation angle, amplitudes, stereopsis, and control pre-, during, and post-occlusion therapy.
Main Results:
- 11% showed a 50% decrease in deviation angle.
- 55.5% achieved normal base-out fusional amplitudes.
- 77% demonstrated successful control.
Conclusions:
- Alternate occlusion therapy enhances sensory status and fusional amplitudes.
- Occlusion therapy does not significantly alter the deviation angle.
- It can be a valuable tool to delay surgery and potentially improve surgical outcomes in young children.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of occlusion therapy in the control of intermittent exotropia (IXT) in children between 4 and 10 years in Saudi Arabia. This study will highlight the importance of patching IXT patients and assist to approach the proper use of occlusion therapy.
Methods:
A clinical, prospective cohort pilot study was performed on 21 untreated IXT patients. Evaluation of the deviation angle, amplitudes, stereopsis and control before, during and after occlusion therapy was performed.
Results:
Eleven percent of the subjects demonstrated a decrease in the deviation angle by 50% while 55.5% attained normal ranges for base-out fusional amplitudes and 77% attained success for the control.
Conclusion:
We suggest that alternate occlusion therapy can improve the sensory status and strengthen the fusional amplitudes but does not improve the deviation angle and therefore is useful to postpone surgery in young children and may improve surgical outcome.
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