Session: Poster session A

Acquired distant esotropia in adult myopic patients 

Introduction: We present a series of adult myopic patients with acquired distant esotropia.

Patients and methods: All six patients experienced a gradually emerging distant double vision over a few years, without any neurological problems. Four are female and two male with a mean age of 43 years (31-62). Their mean myopic refraction is -3.5 D (-2.5 to -5.57 D) and four of them constantly wear contact lenses. The mean distant esotropic deviation is 28 prism dioptres (18 to 80 PD). The follow up period is between two and twelve years. 

Results: Five patients used integrated in the glasses or Fresnel prisms to relieve diplopia. Four of them underwent an operation (left eye recess/resection procedure). One is still wearing prisms. Diplopia returned to one of the operated patient, eleven years after surgery, and was compensated with prisms. 

Conclusions: A myopic patient accommodates and converges much more with contact lenses than with glasses. Combined with near work this might be a predisposing factor for slowly progressing distant esotropia.