Divergence Excess Intermittent Exotropia: Long-Term Effect of Augmented Bilateral Lateral Rectus Recession

Purpose: To investigate the long-term (10 years) effects of augmented bilateral lateral rectus (aBLR) recession in patients affected by divergence excess intermittent exotropia (deIXT). Methods: Data of 58 patients affected by deIXT who underwent aBLR muscle recession were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with 8.0 to 9.5 mm (mean 8.6 +/- 0.5 mm) recession of BLR. Results: Our result showed a significant decreasing of both distance and near residual deviation during follow-up. The percentage of patients with successful surgical outcome (defined as a residual deviation ranging from 10pd intermittent exotropia to 5pd esotropia) increased during follow-up (from 51.7% to 81% at last follow-up). Stereopsis increased in 39.7% of patients at last follow-up. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between age at surgery and short/mid-term residual deviation. Conclusions: Our long-term results suggest that aBLR recession surgery is a very effective approach in patients affected by deIXT.