Development of binocular function after early surgery for infantile esotropia

We conducted a study in 67 infants with esotropia to determine whether there is a difference in development of normal binocular function after bilateral recession of the medial rectus muscle at various times before 24 months of age. We divided the study population into 3 groups depending on the age of the patient at the time of surgery (0 to 6 months, 7 to 12 months, or 13 to 24 months) and compared the position of the eyes and binocular vision in the 3 groups at 51±21 months (mean± SD). Stereopsis was present in 0 of the 8 patients in the 0 to 6 month group, 2 of 35 patients in the 7 to 12 month group, and 1 of 24 patients in the 13 to 24 months group. From these results, the time before age 24 months of surgery for infantile esotropia makes no difference in whether the patient acquires stereopsis.