Factors affecting the motor outcome after corrective surgery for acquired comitant esotropia

To determine the possible predictors of the motor outcome after corrective surgery for acquired comitant esotropia.

The study included 40 patients with acquired comitant esotropia. After evaluation of the visual, sensory, and motor status; cycloplegic refraction; fundus examination; and spectacle prescription, all patients underwent corrective strabismus surgery. A successful motor outcome was defined as 0 to 10 prism diopters of horizontal tropia. Statistical analysis of the results was done using the chi-square tests.

At the sixth postoperative month, 90% achieved a successful motor outcome, while 2.5% had a consecutive exotropia >10 prism diopters, and 7.5% had a residual esotropia >10 prism diopters. A statistically significant relationship existed between the motor outcome and the following: preoperative results of the Worth four-dot test at 6 m (p = .011) and 0.33 m (p = .009), preoperative distant (p = .016) and near (p = .017) angles of esotropia with glasses, postoperative near angles of deviation at 1 week (p = .005), 1 month (p < .001), 6 weeks (p < .001), 3 months (p = .001), and 6 months (p < .001) following surgery, postoperative distant angles of deviation at 6 weeks (p < .001) and 3 months (p = .03) following surgery, 6 week (p = .01) and 6 month (p = .036) postoperative results of the Worth four-dot test at 0.33 m, and the 6-month postoperative sensory outcome (p = .006).

Preoperative and postoperative sensory and motor functions are predictors of the 6-month postoperative motor outcome.