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Introduction: Intermittent exotropia (IXT) is commonly seen in areas with more sunlight, females and Asians. Surgical alignment is recommended to improve binocular function, but a high recurrence rate has been reported. This study aimed to assess the stability of ocular alignment and factors contributing to exodrift post-surgery for IXT over 6-month follow-up. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with IXT who underwent unilateral recess resect procedures and attended follow-up examinations for at least six months post-surgery. A significant exodrift was defined as exodrift of more than 10PD at distance and near. Ocular deviation, binocularity, and stereopsis at one and six-month post-operative visits were studied to assess the incidence of exodrift post-surgery and the probable factors causing such drift. Results: Of the 50 patients studied, 26 (52%) were males, 42 (84%) were 10 PD. No clinical factors were found to contribute significantly to exodrift in this study.16 (61.5%) patients attained near and distance BSV post-surgery (p-value: <0.001). Six (12%) and 10 (20%) patients with subnormal near and distance stereopsis, respectively, attained normal stereopsis post-surgery. Conclusion: Over half of the patients operated for IXT had some Exodrift, and one-fourth had significant exodrift within six months post-surgery. Despite improved BSV, many patients failed to attain normal stereopsis with just motor alignment.
Chandramouli et al. (Tue,) studied this question.