Modified Y- split and recession of medial rectus muscles in convergence excess esotropia

The convergence excess esotropia (CEET) is defined when near esotropia is greater than the distance by at least 10 PD while the eye is corrected with the full cycloplegic refraction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a modified technique of Y- split recession of the medial rectus muscles on CEET.

This was a retrospective study on patients diagnosed with CEET. The surgery included longitudinally dividing the medial rectus muscles into two equal halves and re-attaching them in a recessed and one-tendon width apart position. Success was defined as a residual distance and near esotropia of less than 10 PD and a distance-near disparity of less than 5 PD.

Fourteen patients, including 8 (57.1%) females, were enrolled with a mean age of 7.1 ± 2.9 years. The mean follow-up period was 28.6 ± 12.1 months. The mean preoperative distance and near esotropia was 31 ± 10 and 45 ± 11.3 PD respectively that decreased to 2.4 ± 3 and 3.6 ± 3.8 PD at the final visit (p < 0.001). The Mean distance-near disparity of esotropia was 14 ± 4.5 PD before the operation that decreased to 1.3 ± 1.8 PD at the final visit (p < 0.001). The motor success rate was 78.6%, bifocal glasses were no more required in 92.9% of patients, and stereopsis improved in 35.7% of patients after the surgery.

Bilateral modified Y- split and recession of the medial rectus muscle is an effective technique for the treatment of CEET with persistent outcomes in the long-term follow-up.