Stereopsis in children with fully versus partially accommodative esotropia

To compare the stereoacuity outcomes and associated predictors among children with fully accommodative esotropia (FAET) and those with partially accommodative esotropia (PAET).

The medical records of all children (<19 years) diagnosed with accommodative esotropia while residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota, from January 1, 1975, through December 31, 1994, were retrospectively reviewed.

A total of 306 children with accommodative esotropia were diagnosed during the study period: 244 (79.7%) were fully accommodative, and 62 (20.3%) were partially accommodative. Children with PAET were more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age (3.6 years vs 4.1 [P = 0.026]) and have a larger mean angle of deviation at distance (26.0^Δ vs 17.3^Δ; P < 0.001) and at near (33.3^Δ vs 23.3^Δ [P < 0.001]) than children with FAET. After a mean follow-up of 9.8 years (range, 0-27.9), high-grade stereoacuity (≤60 arcsec) was found in 81/230 (35%) of the 244 children with FAET compared with 8/58 (14%) of 62 with PAET at final follow-up (P = 0.002). A mean older age at reported onset (3.7 vs 3.0 years [P = 0.018]) was associated with high-grade stereoacuity in children with FAET.

In this population-based cohort, children with FAET were more likely to present at an older age, with a smaller deviation, and achieve high-grade stereoacuity than were those with PAET. Older age at onset was significantly associated with fine stereopsis in children with FAET.