Purpose : To evaluate the role of orthoptic treatments in the management of intermittent exotropia

Methods : In a retrospective study, clinical records of patients diagnosed with intermittent exotropia were reviewed. Patients with basic, convergence insufficiency (CI) and divergence excess (DE) types of intermittent exotropia who underwent orthoptic treatments were enrolled. Office treatments included prism exercises and pencil push-ups, and home exercises included pencil push-ups, 3D tests and dominant eye occlusion. Clinical evaluation of symptoms, binocular orthoptic status and maximum angle of deviation was done before treatment and at 8 weeks after the beginning of the treatment and at the time of last examination.

Results : Seventy four patients with a mean age of 18.4±12.2 years and mean follow-up of 13.5±10.1 weeks were included in the study. Forty three (58.1%) patients had a basic type of exodeviation, 22 (29.7%) had a CI type of exodeviation and 9 (12%) had a DE type of exodeviation. The treatment was successful in 88.3% of patients in basic type, all patients in CI type and 88.8% in DE group. Success rate was not significantly different between the three groups (P=0.25). Strabismus surgery was performed in one patient in basic type and one in DE group due to the lack of improvement.

Conclusion : Orthoptic treatment seems to be effective in reducing symptoms and improving signs of intermittent exotropia.