Slanted Medial Rectus Recession Is Effective in the Treatment of Convergence Excess Esotropia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of slanted medial rectus recession in patients diagnosed as having convergence excess esotropia. METHODS: Bilateral slanted recession of medial rectus muscles was performed in 16 patients with convergence excess esotropia. The lower margins of medial rectus muscles were recessed 1 to 2 mm more than the upper margins. Changes in near-distance disparity of the deviations were recorded. RESULTS: The mean preoperative near-distance disparity of 20.3±6.5 prism diopters (PD) decreased to 4.37±5.6 PD postoperatively. The amount of collapse was significant (mean: 16 PD; P<.005). Near-distance disparity of 10 PD or less was obtained in 14 patients after surgery (87.5%), except 2 patients who had 16 PD of disparity. The authors did not encounter overcorrection except in 1 patient in whom minimal exophoria at distance and near with the glasses was observed and reduced the prescription. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral slanted medial rectus muscle recession procedure effectively decreases the disparity between near and distance deviations in patients with convergence excess esotropia.