Does hyperopic correction worsen exotropia? A retrospective comparison in Children with high hyperopia

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Strabismus Management

Background:

• Exotropia and high hyperopia are common in children.
• Refractive correction is a key management strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate refractive correction's effect on ocular deviation in children with exotropia and high hyperopia.
• To compare outcomes of partial versus full hyperopic correction.
• To determine if full correction worsens exotropia.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 43 children with high hyperopia (≥ +3.00 D) and exotropia (≥ 10 prism diopters).
• Patients divided into partial (n=27) and full (n=16) correction groups.
• Comparison of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), amblyopia, and exotropia deviation angles.

Main Results:

• Visual acuity improved significantly post-treatment (p < 0.001).
• Amblyopia decreased significantly (p = 0.001).
• No significant difference in exotropia worsening between partial and full correction groups.

Conclusions:

• Refractive correction is vital for visual acuity and amblyopia in pediatric exotropia with hyperopia.
• High hyperopic spectacle correction does not worsen exotropia.