This study was performed to investigate the characteristics of accommodative esotropia in patients who successfully discontinued their use of glasses and to determine which factors are predictive of successfully discontinuing the use of glasses.

A retrospective review was performed of 40 patients with accommodative esotropia who were orthophoric without glasses (group A) and 58 patients with persistent esotropia without glasses (group B). The exclusion criteria were as follows: a follow-up of less than 5 years, age younger than 10 years old, less than 1.50 diopters of hyperopia, or previous strabismus surgery. We analyzed the relationships between the factors and the resolution of esotropia.

The mean distance esotropia (30.1 vs 24.3 prism diopters), the degree of hyperopia (+5.3 vs +3.9 diopters) and the interval between the initial prescription of glasses and the initiation of discontinuing their use were predictors of successful discontinuation of glasses in group A and B (p<.05).

Some patients with accommodative esotropia may be successfully weared out of glasses. A smaller esotropic angle, lesser degree of hyperopia, and earlier initiation of wearing appear to be favorable factors.