Is y-split recession of the medial rectus muscle as effective as scleral retroequatorial myopexy of the medial rectus muscle for partially accommodative esotropia with convertgence? A report of results in 61 cases.

PURPOSE: To compare the results of a medial rectus (MR) Y-split recession with those of a MR retroequatorial myopexy for the treatment of partially accommodative esotropia with convergence excess.

METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients who underwent bilateral MR Y-split recession or bilateral MR retroequatorial myopexy for partially accommodative esotropia with convergence excess (accommodative convergence: accommodation ratios greater than 5 prism diopters:diopters) between March 2006 and January 2011 were included.

RESULTS: Sixty-one patients underwent bilateral MR Y-split recession, and 60 patients underwent retroequatorial myopexy of the bilateral MR muscles. Satisfactory binocular alignment was achieved in 77 percent of the patients who underwent MR Y-split recession by the final examination and 78 percent of patients who underwent a MR retroequatorial myopexy. There was no statistically significant difference in near or distance deviation or the near-distance disparity at the postoperative 1 month or final examination. The proportions of patients who had a successful alignment at the final examination did not differ between the two groups. No patients had any complications.

CONCLUSION: We determined that both the MR Y-split recession and MR retroequatorial myopexy achieved satisfactory results for the treatment of partially accommodative esotropia with convergence excess though both techniques had some disadvantages.