Short-term and Long-term Status of Monocular Eye Closure in Sunlight After Surgical Treatment of Intermittent Exotropia

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate short-term and long-term status of monocular eye closure in sunlight after surgical treatment of intermittent exotropia. Methods: The medical records of consecutive patients 4 years and older who underwent surgery for intermittent exotropia with monocular eye closure in sunlight were reviewed retrospectively. Monocular eye closure status on short-term and long-term postoperative follow-up was analyzed to determine whether the status on short-term follow-up remained or changed on long-term follow-up. Results: A total of 37 patients were included (mean age: 10.64 ± 6.05 years). Thirteen patients (35%) were postoperatively observed for 6 months or less (short-term) and 24 (65%) for a mean 7.12 ± 2.89 years (long-term). Monocular eye closure disappeared in 16 patients (43%) and persisted in 21 (57%) on short-term follow-up. There was no significant difference in eye closure status between short-term and long-term follow-up in 24 patients. Eight of 9 patients (89%) with disappearance of eye closure on short-term follow-up maintained this status on long-term follow-up and 1 patient (11%) had reappearance of eye closure. Eleven of 15 patients (73%) with persistence of eye closure on short-term follow-up maintained this status on long-term follow-up and 4 (27%) had disappearance of eye closure. Three patients had a fluctuation in eye closure status during long-term follow-up. Conclusions: Monocular eye closure disappeared in nearly 40% of patients on short-term follow-up and in 50% on long-term follow-up after surgery for intermittent exotropia. Monocular eye closure status on short-term follow-up remained on long-term follow-up in most patients and changed in a few patients. [ J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus . 2023;60(2):114–119.]