Long-term Ocular Alignment and Sensory Outcomes After Medial Rectus Recession for High AC/A Ratio Esotropia.

Purpose: To report long-term ocular alignment and sensory outcomes after medial rectus recession for high accommodative convergence/accommodation (AC/A) ratio esotropia.

Methods: The medical records of consecutive patients who had undergone unilateral or bilateral medial rectus recession for high AC/A ratio esotropia and were observed postoperatively for a minimum of 5 years were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: A total of 34 patients were included. Twenty-three patients (68%) used bifocals preoperatively. The mean age at surgery was 11.5 ± 4.4 years (range: 2.5 to 19.0 years). The mean postoperative follow-up was 7.5 ± 2.3 years (range: 5.0 to 15.25 years). Overall, 21 patients (62%) had surgical success at their last follow-up visit. Age at surgery, preoperative angle of distance and near deviation, distance-near disparity, and preoperative bifocal wear did not predict motor outcome after surgery. Preoperative presence of peripheral binocular single vision was a significant favorable factor for surgical success. At the last follow-up visit, 21% of patients had a recurrence of high AC/A ratio esotropia and 9% each had consecutive exotropia (intermittent [3%] and constant [6%]) and basic esotropia. Peripheral binocular single vision was achieved in 64% of patients and stereopsis in 28%. Bifocal segment was eliminated postoperatively in 70% of patients.

Conclusions: Nearly two-thirds of patients with high AC/A ratio esotropia achieved a successful long-term motor outcome and peripheral binocular single vision, and nearly one-fourth achieved stereopsis. Recurrence of high AC/A ratio esotropia occurred in some patients, and consecutive exotropia and basic esotropia in a few. Bifocal segment was eliminated postoperatively in 70% of patients. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(5):344-350.].