Infantile Esotropia: Clinical features and surgical outcomes

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate clinical features and surgical outcomes of Infantile esotropia (IET) patients and to evaluate the effect of surgery age on binocular function. Material and Methods: A total of 28 patients who underwent surgery were enrolled. Medical history of the patients was received, and the age of IET onset, prenatal history, family history and ocular therapies performed (closure therapy, using eyeglasses) were recorded. After cover-uncover test, patients' deviation angles were determined utilizing prism cover test using an accommodative target for far/near. Visual acuity was evaluated according to the optotypes, objects or fixation on the Snellen chart depending on the cooperation of the patients. Bilateral medial rectus recession was applied in all patients. Results: The mean age of IET onset was determined as 2.11 +/- 2.18 months. Patients' age of surgery differed between 10 months and 25 years with a mean age of 5.3 +/- 6.1 years. In all patients, the preoperative amount of the far deviation was 48.39 +/- 1.06 PD (25-80 PD) and preoperative amount of near deviation was 48.57 +/- 12.97 PD (25-80 PD). Twenty-six patients first underwent bilateral medial rectus recession (maximum: 6.5 mm). When pre-and postoperative deviation angles were compared, postoperative deviation angles were significantly improved (p<0.05). Discussion: The most appropriate time for surgery in IET cases should be taken as the earliest time when the amount of deviation can be accurately determined, refractive errors should be determined before and after surgery in all cases, treatment of amblyopia and early completion of surgical correction should be aimed at gaining binocular functions.