To identify the correlation between early postoperative stereoacuity and surgical outcome in intermittent exotropia.

The medical records of 74 patients who underwent unilateral lateral rectus recession or bilateral lateral rectus recession for intermittent exotropia with a minimum postoperative follow-up of 3 years were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative stereoacuity was measured using the vectogram test and Titmus test at 1 month post-operative. The deviation angle was measured at near and at distance using a prism cover test. Patients were divided into two groups according to post-operative angle deviation, and stereoacuity was analyzed in both groups.

Sixty patients showed no suppression at distance at 1 month post-operative follow-up. Of these, 55 patients (85.9%) belonged to the success group and 5 patients (50.0%) belonged to the recurrence group. The post-operative suppression test and the surgical outcome exhibited a significant association ( p = 0.017). 53 patients showed normal stereoacuity 1 month after surgery. Of these, 49 patients (76.6%) belonged to the success group and 4 patients (40.0%) belonged to the recurrence group ( p = 0.017). Post-operative stereoacuity and surgical outcome exhibited a significant association ( p = 0.026).

Post-operative suppression test results at distance and stereoacuity at near may be helpful in predicting surgical outcomes of patients with intermittent exotropia.