Far distance control scores for assessing intermittent exotropia

PURPOSE To assess the level of control in intermittent exotropia by applying the office-based 6-point control scale to far-distance testing. METHODS Fifty-two children with intermittent exotropia were enrolled in this prospective, noninterventional case series. Control of exodeviation was assessed at indoor distance (ID) of 3 m and near distance of 33 cm using the office-based 6-point control scale, which was additionally applied to indoor far distance (IFD) fixation of 30 m and outdoor far distance (OFD) fixation of 50 m. RESULTS In all 52 patients, the level of control at OFD fixation was either worse than (31%) or the same as (70%) the level of control at IFD fixation and the level of control at IFD fixation was worse than (64%) or the same as (35%) the level of control at ID fixation. The level of control at OFD fixation was worse than (69%) or the same as (31%) the level of control at ID fixation for all 52 patients. The differences between mean control scores of OFD and IFD fixation (P = 0.002), IFD and ID fixation (P < 0.001), OFD and ID fixation (P < 0.001) were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS The outdoor and indoor far distance control scores can increase the sensitivity of the office-based 6-point control scale. The office control scale for assessing control in patients with intermittent exotropia could have application for the management of intermittent exotropia.