Acquired Esotropia, Results of Surgical Treatment in Albania

Background: Acquired esotropia is a type of strabismus, which usually manifests around the age of 1-3 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the surgical treatment of acquired partially accommodative and nonaccommodative esotropia in a group of esotropia patients in Albania. Methods: In total 52 patients aged 2-27 years, diagnosed with acquired partially or non-accommodative esotropia during the period January 2012-December 2017, participated in the study. Patients with complete accommodative esotropia were excluded. Ocular deviation and other parameters were assessed before and after operation and the results were compared to check whether differences were statistically significant. Results: Half (50%) of patients were 2-7 years of age (54% males). Retroposition was the most common surgical procedure, carried out in 50% of cases. Compared to before the intervention, after the intervention there was a significant universal reduction of ocular deviation in all patients at distance or near vision, with or without correction; a significant increase in the proportion of patients acquiring/retaining 3D vision and binocular vision, experiencing no suppression and no excyclotorsion. The most common complication related to surgical intervention was anesthesia-related vomiting (23.1%) and under correction or overcorrection (23.1% of cases). No significant changes were detected in the average visual acuity and the level of manifest and cycloplegic refraction. Conclusion: Surgical treatment for acquired esotropia is an effective procedure, based on significant reduction of mean ocular deviation and improved results of sensory tests after the intervention. Patients with post-surgical undercorrection and overcorrection need to be appropriately followed-up and treated.