To analyze the clinical features of patients with exodeviation of more than 15 prism diopters (PDs) within one month and with orthophoria over three years after surgical correction of intermittent exotropia.

The early recurrence group consisted of patients with a final distance and near exodeviation more than 15PDs within one month after surgical correction of intermittent exotropia. The surgical success group was defined as patients with orthophoria over three years after surgical correction of intermittent exotropia. Sex, age at onset and surgery, office control status, refraction status, A-V pattern, preoperative and postoperative angles of ocular deviation, binocular sensory status, and the presence of diplopia on postoperative one day were retrospectively investigated and compared between these two groups.

Out of a total of 68 patients, early recurrence occurred in 33 patients, and success was achieved in 35 patients. Factors including sex, age at onset and surgery, office control status, and diplopia on postoperative one day did not differ between the two groups. Preoperative near-angles of ocular deviation, A-V pattern of strabismus, preoperative stereopsis, and the range of postoperative overcorrection contributed to early recurrence.

Factors related to early recurrence were larger preoperative near-angles of ocular deviation, presence of A-V pattern, poor preoperative stereopsis, and a smaller amount of overcorrection on postoperative day 1.