To identify differences in the refractive error of postoperative intermittent exotropia patients.

A total of 71 patients who had an average refractive error of 2 D and a follow-up of more than 6 months after unilateral recession-resection (R&R) for intermittent exotropia were included in this study. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their refractive error: Group 1, ≤-1.0 D; Group 2, -1.0 D ~ +1.0 D; Group 3, ≥+1.0 D. The amounts of deviation 1 day after surgery and 6 months after surgery were evaluated.

Out of the 71 total patients included in this study, group 1 included 20 patients, group 2 included 39, and group 3 included 12. The average refractive error in groups 1, 2, and 3 was -2.2 ± 0.9 D, 0.0 ± 0.4 D and +1.9 ± 0.9 D, respectively. The angle of deviation 1 day after surgery was measured in the 3 groups; A result labeled '+' was considered to be exodeviation and a result labeled '-' was considered to be esodeviation. The angle of deviation results for groups 1, 2, and 3 one day after surgery were -6.7 ± 6.0 PD, -7.5 ± 5.8 PD and -7.3 ± 5.9 PD ( p = 0.937), respectively, and the results 6 months after surgery were +2.2 ± 4.3 PD, +4.7 ± 5.9 PD and +1.8 ± 2.8 PD ( p = 0.076), respectively. Among the 3 groups, no statistically significant difference was observed in postoperative angle of deviation after 6 months.

In basic intermittent exotropia patients with an average refractive error of 2 D, the amount of refractive error makes no difference in strabismus surgical outcomes.