Surgical and Non-surgical Interventions for Intermittent Exotropia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Strabismus Management

Background:

• Intermittent exotropia is a frequent childhood strabismus with outward eye deviation.
• Current treatment options include surgery, occlusion, minus lenses, and orthoptic exercises.
• A definitive gold-standard treatment and optimal surgical timing remain challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and compare the efficacy of surgical versus non-surgical interventions for intermittent exotropia.
• To identify factors influencing treatment success rates in intermittent exotropia management.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect for relevant studies.
• Inclusion of randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials from the past 10 years.
• Evaluation of motor alignment, binocular function, and recurrence rates as primary outcomes.

Main Results:

• Both surgical and non-surgical treatments demonstrate effectiveness in improving motor alignment and binocular function.
• The magnitude, sustainability, and timing of success differ between surgical and non-surgical approaches.
• Treatment outcomes are influenced by patient-specific factors like age, compliance, and baseline deviation.

Conclusions:

• Both surgical and non-surgical treatments are viable options for intermittent exotropia.
• Treatment success is highly individualized, necessitating tailored approaches.
• Further research may clarify optimal timing and patient selection for each intervention type.