To compare the surgical outcomes and stereopsis between pseudodivergence excess type and convergence insufficiency type in intermittent exotropia.

In a retrospective comparative analysis of 42 eyes, 18 eyes that were of the convergence insufficiency type (group 1) and 24 eyes that were or the pseudodivergence excess type (group 2) were analyzed. Recession-resection was performed in the same eye. Success was defined to be within ±8 PD after 12 months postoperatively; more than ±8 PD was defined as recurrence. Stereopsis was measured by the Titmus test.

After the patch test, the mean preoperative near angle in group 1 was 35.56 ± 6.62 PD and the far angle was 23.06 ± 6.22 PD. In group 2, the mean preoperative near angle was 26.92 ± 6.30 PD and the far angle was 28.29 ± 7.41 PD. The group 1 postoperative (12 months) mean near angle was 6.89 ± 8.46 PD and the far angle was 6.11 ± 7.90 PD. In group 2, the mean postoperative near angle was 1.75 ± 2.85 PD and the far angle was 3.42 ± 3.98 PD. The success rate of group 1 was 50% and the success rate of group 2 was 83.3%. The success rate of both group were statistically significant differences ( p = 0.021). The postoperative (12 months) mean of near stereopsis for group 1 was 588 ± 1,124 seconds, and group 2 was 101.25 ± 102 seconds. There were no statistically differences in postoperative (12 months) stereopsis.

The success rate of the pseudodivergence excess type was significantly higher than in the convergence insufficiency type.