Monocular surgery for large-angle esotropias: a new paradigm

To demonstrate the feasibility of monocular surgery in the treatment of large-angle esotropias through large recessions of the medial rectus (6 to 10 mm) and large resections of the lateral rectus (8 to 10 mm). 46 patients were submitted to surgery. They had esotropias of 50Delta or more that were relatively comitant. The patients were operated under general anesthesia and received no adjustable sutures. The methods used for refractometry, measurement of visual acuity and angle of deviation were those traditionally used in strabismology. Postoperatively, measurements in primary position (and side gaze) were carried out, along with assessments of limitations to adduction or abduction of the operated eye. Four groups comprised the study according to four periods of time: one week, six months, two years and four to seven years. The results for the postoperative angle of deviation were compatible with those reported in the literature, and remained stable in the folllow-up. The motility of the operated eye presented a slight limitation in adduction and no limitation in abduction, contradicting the findings presented in the strabologic literature. No statistically significant differences were detected in the comparison between adults and children, neither regarding amblyopes and non-amblyopes. Monocular recession-resection surgery seems to be a valid option in the treatment of large-angle esotropias, both for adults and children, as well as for amblyopes and non-amblyopes.