Author/Authors :
Heydarian, Samira Department of Rehabilitation Sciences - School of Allied Medical Sciences - Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran , Hashemi, Hassan Noor Research Center for Ophthalmic Epidemiology - Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran , Jafarzadehpour, Ebrahim Department of Optometry - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Ostadi, Amin Noor Research Center for Ophthalmic Epidemiology - Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran , Yekta, Abbasali Department of Optometry - School of Paramedical Sciences - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran , Aghamirsalim, Mohamadreza Eye Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Dadbin, Nooshin Noor Research Center for Ophthalmic Epidemiology - Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran , Ostadimoghaddam, Hadi Refractive Errors Research Center - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran , Khoshhal, Fahimeh Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran , Khabazkhoob, Mehdi Department of Medical Surgical Nursing - School of Nursing and Midwifery - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Purpose: To review current non-surgical management methods of intermittent exotropia (IXT) which is one of the most common types of
childhood-onset exotropia.
Methods: A search strategy was developed using a combination of the words IXT, divergence excess, non-surgical management, observation,
overcorrecting minus lens therapy, patch/occlusion therapy, orthoptics/binocular vision therapy, and prism therapy to identify all articles in
four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus). To find more articles and to ensure that the databases were
thoroughly searched, the reference lists of the selected articles were also reviewed from inception to June 2018 with no restrictions and filters.
Results: IXT is treated when binocular vision is impaired, or the patient is symptomatic. There are different surgical and non-surgical
management strategies. Non-surgical treatment of IXT includes patch therapy, prism therapy, orthoptic sessions, and overcorrecting minus
lens therapy. The objective of these treatments is to reduce the symptoms and the frequency of manifest deviation by decreasing the angle of
deviation or enhancing the ability to control it.
Conclusions: Evidence of the efficacy of non-surgical management options for IXT is not compelling. More comprehensive randomized
controlled trial studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of these procedures and detect the most effective strategy.
