Recession of the lateral recti: Early and Late Postoperative Alignments

The results of recession of the lateral recti as a first procedure for exodeviation are compared for several initial (two to ten day) postoperative alignments. Eighty percent of all initial postoperative alignments changed by the eighth week, 71% becoming more divergent. Eighty-one percent of initial postoperative alignments between 11 and 20Δ of esodeviation remained satisfactory, as did 60% of initial esodeviations of up to 10Δ. Initial postoperative orthophoria and exodeviation up to 10Δ remained satisfactory in 38% and 37% cases, respectively. Persisting overcorrections occurred in 7% of initial esodeviations, while 32% of orthophoric or small exodeviated alignments converted to undercorrections by the eighth postoperative week. The importance of comparing initial postoperative alignments in evaluating the results of surgical procedures for exodeviation is stressed.