Vision Therapy’s Role in Basic Intermittent Exotropia: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Vision therapy has been shown to be a successful treatment option for basic intermittent exotropia as long as a complete workup is performed to assess prognosis and appropriate management. Case Presentation: A 9 year old hispanic male presented to the clinic for a comprehensive exam and was subsequently diagnosed with a basic type intermittent exotropia with a V-pattern deviation. After thorough evaluation of binocular skills and accommodative function with a binocular vision evaluation, he was referred for a vision therapy program to improve fusional ranges, accommodative function, and symptoms. This program consisted of 20 sessions and significantly improved his binocular skills. Discussion: Basic intermittent exotropia can be treated in various ways. Vision Therapy is a worthwhile option. Surgical correction and overminus treatment have also been effective treatments. Assessment should include the intermittent exotropia control scale and the convergence insufficiency symptom survey. Vision therapy treatments focus on diplopia awareness, antisuppression, and fusional vergence ranges. Conclusion: Though more research is necessary, vision therapy has been proven to be a very effective treatment option in basic intermittent exotropia.